If Fate Could ChooseChapter 3

I reached the stairway corner, just out of sight of the living room, before dashing to the cellar.

But when I reached it, there was nothing—just the same old cluttered furniture.

The bed Sarah had been lying on was empty, occupied only by a teddy bear, her gift to me on my eighteenth birthday.

There was no sign of Sarah. No red-stained bandages.

It must have been a dream.

I leaned against the wardrobe, breathing heavily.

But something didn’t add up. It felt too real.

Then, in the corner of the cabinet, I spotted a small button—one from my pajamas. I really had hidden in there last night.

“Lily, what are you doing down here?”

I whipped around. Dad was behind me, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing, his gold-rimmed glasses reflecting the dim light.

Swallowing down my panic, I clutched the teddy bear and stammered, “I…I missed Sarah and wanted to find the teddy bear she gave me.”

It was the best excuse I could come up with.

Dad’s expression was cold and calculating, like a snake watching its prey. He looked at me for a long moment, then said, “Take what you need and leave. There’s no reason to be down here.”

I forced a smile, hugging the bear as I walked out, making a show of mumbling, “She could’ve at least called after all this time.”

Dad trailed behind me at a steady distance. I could almost feel his eyes boring into the back of my head.

“She just got there, Lily,” he said in an even tone. “She’s busy. Don’t bother her with calls.”

Why hadn’t I thought to call her?

I went back to my room, pulled out my phone, and dialed her number.

“Sorry, your account is suspended due to lack of payment.”

What? She’d filled my account with credit before she left.

Confused and scared, I checked the Wi-Fi and saw it was disabled, and my phone had no signal.

I was trapped—no way to call for help, no way to reach Brian.