Author's povKaite splashed water on her face, trying to get what happened earlier off her mind. Well, this method wasn't working. She wanted to act happy that the threats from Brooklyn would end, but she couldn't. How could she when she was the reason Zuhra was throwing her role at the dance school away? She was a whole team leader, and she wanted out of her team. That sounded like a rash decision to her.She'd stopped talking to Zuhra about it when they returned, but now she was done doing that. Maybe Zuhra had to be reminded of her goals, and Broadway dreams that she was throwing out the window because of a silly friend.She left the bathroom to find Zuhra still in the position she had left her. Tapping her phone with a scowl on her face."What are you doing?" Katie asked, climbing up beside her."Blocking and unfollowing Brooklyn and every other person who sends a message to tell me to come back," Zuhra stated. She didn't feel bad about what she did in any way. It was only a matt
KATIE’S POVI stayed agitated for three days, wondering what would happen next. It seemed like everything was at a standstill, and I wouldn't say I liked the suspense much.Zuhra didn't take back her declaration like I asked her to. Well, even if she did, she still would not be able to practice with the team. Sure, she was healing, but it was a slow process of easing her back into the dance routine. She had her instructor give her workouts and practice moves. I knew because whenever I came to visit in the evenings, she told me what happened when I was away.She also told me she was bored with staying home alone. I wouldn't have minded staying with her all day, but that would have been too much to ask of Vivian. She was kind enough already.Blaze didn't call again. I did receive some money from him, but when I called to thank him, he didn't pick up. I tried not to overthink why he didn't, but my mind kept telling me he was mad at me for some reason.That didn't make sense, though. If
Katie's pov"Remind me again why I'm helping you," I said, stopping at our table with a tray in hand. I set it on the table and retook my seat.I was glad I'd picked this place; there was nothing that could compare to taking in the cool evening breeze over a snack. Or, in this case, a drink.Brooklyn offered me a grateful smile. "Maybe because I asked nicely?""Oh please," I scoffed. I could have just left her to figure out a way to make her peace with Zuhra, and no one would judge me for it. Yet still, I had decided to help. Maybe it was that part of me that was willing to accept Blaze that she spoke to.Speaking of Blaze, I still haven't heard from him. I didn't know if he still planned to come over or not. Well, if he did, he'd meet an empty house, which serves him right for ignoring me."Thanks again," Brooklyn muttered. She picked up a glass and filled her cup."You know you're paying for that, right?" I reminded her, and she nodded. I sighed in relief. I definitely didn't intend
Katie's pov"I'm so glad you decided to get back to dancing," I said, beaming as I arranged the tables. It was really early in the morning, and Zuhra had come over to say hi. After which, she went off to the studio. If not for anything, I'm glad that the talk she had with Brooklyn made her rethink her decision. "Whatever did she say to get you back to the studio?" I asked.Zuhra swirled the clear liquid in her cup with her straw. "Won't you like to know? Instead, I get a text saying you went off somewhere. With Blaze, Tess. Of all people."I would have thought she was jealous again, but her tone was so light and cheery. I paused what I was doing to look at her closely."What? Do I have a bug in my hair or something?" She leaned away from my scrutiny. "Brooklyn must have worked some magic on you to get you back to this state."That was the only logical explanation for the sudden free energy around my friend. She was way more comfortable to stay around now."Oh please, that's nothing
Author's pov "Zuhra," Katie managed to say, wincing at the next contraction that came. "It's time."She'd been having a nap, too tired to do anything else. She'd stopped work last month in preparation for the baby, and she was grateful that her labor didn't come when she was in a place full of people. As much as she wished she could have continued, she didn't fancy that at all."Are you in labor, Zuhra?" she asked, noticing that she was panting over the phone."Yes," Katie said. "Sorry if I'm disturbing, but you're the only one I can call right now.""It's no biggie," Zuhra brushed off her apology. In truth, she was glad she was the one Katie called. It made her feel much more special to her. "I was just getting in some last-minute workouts anyway, and I'll be there in a few minutes."And in a few minutes, she was there. Katie heard a horn outside and managed to peep through the window. There was a car parked, and she saw Zuhra alight from it. She heaved a sigh of relief. At leas
Katie's povI smiled at Olivia as she cradled my baby in her arms. The look of adoration on her face was ethereal. I wished the child would stay awake, but she seemed to love sleeping too much.At least the doctor said that was normal; she was born only yesterday, after all—no cause for worry."Gosh, Tessa, she's so cute," Olivia gushed, moving closer to Jonah, who peeked at her. He smiled, too.I laughed. "Looks like that little girl already had a lot of adoring grownups to spoil her with treats. Had them charmed just at a glance.""Will you be coming back to work soon?" Keisha asked.I was trying to be civil to her, but I still couldn't get over the fact that even after my warning, she gave out my number to Brooklyn.But she wasn't here to make trouble; she just happened to be among the people Vivian sent to visit me so I would be kind."In a few weeks, I think," I said, shrugging."You mean a few months, right?" Olivia corrected. "No way you're going to be working so soon.""You ca
Katie's povI blinked, confused. I could have sworn that my eyes were open, but surely, if they were, I would be able to see something. As it was, there was just nothing—pitch-black darkness, the oppressive kind that seemed to close in on you.I shut my eyes again and opened the—same thing. Now I was getting worried. In a rush, it all came back. I was in the car, just discharged from the hospital. There was music, and there was my baby in my arms.A baby that was no longer there since my hands were bound in front of me. I could barely feel my hands, and they were bound so tightly. I shifted, noting that there was a wall behind me, which I was leaning on.My feet were bound, too, most likely with the same material. I hated being tied up. It reminded me of the time when I was sold to the Griffins, a time I never wish to remember anymore.But at the moment, that was the least of my problems. Where was my child? Whoever had taken me couldn't have taken her away, too.It only became hard t
Author's pov No, Katie gasped as Blaze fell to the ground. All that came out, though, was a frantic intake of breath, as she could not speak through the gag she hated so much. After all she had tried to tell Blaze, this stupid piece of cloth prevented her from saying anything.She wished she could rip it off, but her hands were bound, too. They had been since the first day. She glared at the man who knocked Blaze out, wishing she could wipe that smug grin off his face.He turned to her. "Don't look at me that way; he was foolish to come alone."He crouched to her level. "And if he did alert the police, then I'm afraid we'll have to kill you immediately. Either way, our mission will be accomplished."If looks could kill, he would be burned to smithereens by now. First, he wouldn't tell her anything about her child, and now he was threatening to kill her. After keeping her here for days, he did not even have a clue what to do to get him to free her."Just tell me what you want. Why do