I decided to take the plunge–entering thest three digits of their birthdays.


    It felt too obvious, but Matthew and Lindey always seemed to favor Jace a bit more, so I started with


    his numbers, then Wayne’s.


    As I typed in thest digit, my heart felt like it was about to explode. I couldn’t even hear anything


    over the pounding in my chest.


    Edward was only ten meters away. I didn’t dare look at him. I was locked on the screen, praying it


    would


    work.


    Suddenly, the “Private”bel blinked to life. The password had worked. And right there, the


    destination popped up: Serenity Retreat.


    I knew that ce. It was one of the three wellness centers I’d researched. After all that effort, I


    finally had the answer I needed–those two crucial words.


    I quickly reached to close the navigation history just as Edward opened the door.


    His eyes immediately flicked to my hand and then to the screen. My hand was trembling, and sweat


    was starting to trickle down my back.


    “Rea, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice tight with suspicion.


    I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. “Uh, I was just trying to put on some music. I don’t


    really know how this system works,” I said, trying to sound casual.


    Edward narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced.


    It made no sense at all. I’d just told him I felt sick–who tries to listen to music when they’re in pain?


    My lie was ridiculous, but since I’d already said it, I had no choice but to roll with it.


    “I was feeling really bad, so I texted one of my doctor friends,” I blurted out, trying to sound


    believable.” She said listening to calming music might help me rx. She also mentioned it could be


    acute gastritis or even appendicitis and suggested I get checked out at a hospital.”


    The more I talked, the more I felt like a fraud. When did I get so good at lying?


    But what choice did I have? I needed to find out the truth behind my dad’s death. I had to know if it


    really was just an ident.


    “Oh, I see.” Edward handed me the meds he’d bought. “Let’s get you to the hospital, then. Don’t


    worry about the music, I’ll find something for you.”


    “Thanks, Edward,” I muttered, taking the pills. My heart was still pounding, but I tore open the pack


    and popped one in, even though I didn’t have any water.


    Swallowing meds without water was a terrible idea, but it was just an antacid. It wouldn’t kill me.


    “Here, drink some water,” Edward said, pouring from the thermos and handing me a cup. “Why


    would you take medicine without water?”


    I took the cup and gulped it down fast. The pill left a nasty, bitter taste in my mouth, making me


    wince.


    “You really are in pain. You’re sweating like crazy. Going to the hospital is the right call,” Edward


    said, ncing over at me as he quickly started the car.


    It wasn’t until we pulled up at the hospital that my heart finally stopped racing.


    Edward insisted on walking me inside, not wanting to leave me alone in case something happened.


    I had no choice but to let hime with me to the emergency room. While we waited, I quickly


    texted Lena, asking her to bail me out.


    Luckily, Lena wasn’t in surgery that day and arrived fast. She helped me convince Edward that I


    was fine and that he didn’t need to stick around.


    “Edward, I’m okay. Please don’t mention this to Matthew or Lindey. I don’t want them to worry,” I


    said as he was getting ready to leave.


    He nodded, but I knew he’d probably tell them anyway.


    Once Edward was gone, Lena shot me a look–like she knew I was hiding something. “Alright, spill


    it. What’s going on?”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    There was no point lying, so I told her everything. As I talked, her face got more serious by the


    second. “Rea, are you sure you wanna go down this road? You might wanna think it over.”


    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, totally confused.


    She stayed quiet for a few seconds.


    Then it hit me. “Are you worried this could lead back to Matthew?”


    Lena didn’t deny it, and my stomach dropped.


    If my dad’s death was somehow connected to Thorsten Drago, and Thorsten was one of


    RiverwaveCorp’s biggest clients… was Matthew involved?


    My mind spiraled. A cold dread settled over me, and suddenly, I couldn’t think straight.