Chapter 584
Charlotte lay with her eyes closed, her brow drawn tight like she was lost in a bad dream. She looked so small, so fragile, tangled up in her own worries.
“Get some sleep,” Anthony whispered, leaning in to brush a gentle kiss against the corner of her mouth. His voice was soft, soothing. “I’m right here. I’ll stay with you.”
As soon as she heard him, the tension in her face melted. Her breathing slowed, deep and even, and in just a few moments, she drifted off.
Anthony waited until he was sure she was truly asleep. He carefully slid his arm out from under her, tucking her hand under the blanket. He watched her for a few seconds, a faint smile touching his lips, then stood up. He turned off her phone and slipped out of the bedroom without making a sound.
In the study, Hans was already there. He had gotten Anthony’s message earlier and had finished digging into the past. Hans stood when Anthony entered, bowing his head. “Anthony.”
Anthony gave him a cool nod, his expression unreadable. He sat at the desk and started peeling a pomelo, not even looking up. “What did you find out?” His voice was low and steady.
Hans stepped forward, placing a thick file on the desk. “Everything’s here. Stella and Charlotte were sent to SunLight Sanatorium at the same time.”
He paused, then continued, his voice grim. “The director, Ransom, was a twisted man. On paper, the place was supposed to help troubled teens, kids with mental health issues, rebellious streaks, or internet addiction. In reality, he was
experimenting on them, torturing them for his own sick pleasure, breaking them until they obeyed.”
“Charlotte suffered through a year of that. Eventually, she and Stella tried to come up with a plan to help the others escape
Anthony froze, his gaze fixed on a photo halfway through the report. He pressed his fingers to the image.
The photo showed a girl, battered and bleeding, her face swollen and streaked with blood, lying motionless on the ground. Behind her was a building, blackened and burnt. Next to her, another gid, just as thin and covered in blood, was desperately pressing on her chest, trying to keep her alive.
Anthony knew right away-the one trying to save her was Lottie. The other had to be Stella.
“They were punished for being the ringleaders, made an example of,” Hans explained.
“Keep going,” Anthony said, his voice even colder, a dark cloud settling over his features.
“Charlotte was beaten for two days straight and left to die in a bathroom. Stella was cut more than a hundred times
Hans swallowed, his voice shaking. “When the plan failed, Ransom tried to cover it all up by setting the sanatorium on fire. Charlotte risked everything to drag Stella out, even though the fire was already aging She couldn’t save the rest. She had to watch as the others, poisoned and helpless, died in the flames.” Hans paused, his words thick with emotion. “That’s why Charlotte can’t forgive herself. She’ll do anything to keep Stella alive now.”
Back then, the other kids were all Charlotte had. Stella was their memory the last piece of her lost
family Taking care of her wasn’
choice-it was the only thing
Charlotte could do.
Anthony stared at the photographs, his mind spinning with images of Charlotte’s pain and loneliness. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to steady himself.
“You can go,” he said quietly, still looking at the picture.
Why did Lottie change so completely after the fire? What happened in the aftermath to make her into someone else?