Chapter 453

Vivian stepped into Abigail's pastel-colored bedroom where the little girl remained curled beneath her floral duvet.

"Mmm...ask me tomorrow. I'm sleeping now."

The small lump under the covers wriggled deeper into hiding.

Abigail knew her mother would demand answers, but she'd sworn to Adrian she'd never reveal his secret. Caught between two impossible choices, retreating seemed her only option.

"Sweetheart, this is important. Mommy needs to talk to you right now."

Evelyn attempted to coax the human burrito from its cotton shell, but the child had cocooned herself with impressive determination.

"No! I'm asleep already! Tell Mommy to call later!"

Fake snoring sounds followed this declaration. "See? Can't hear anything when I'm sleeping."

Evelyn wiped her brow in frustration after several failed attempts to unwrap her charge. "Miss Lockhart...perhaps you'd have better luck?"

Vivian's expression darkened as her patience wore thin.

Taking a sharp breath, she planted both hands on her hips. "Abigail Marie Lockhart!"

Like magic, the duvet flew back to reveal a flushed little face with enormous guilty eyes.

"Mommy! Don't be angry! I'll tell you everything!"

The child knew that tone meant business. When full names came out, consequences followed.

Her conscience wrestled briefly. Sorry, Adrian. Survival first.

Vivian's stern features softened marginally. "Good girl. Now tell me - where is your brother?"

"Promise you won't get mad at us first?"

Always the negotiator, this one.

"Of course not."

Vivian's smile didn't reach her clenched fists. Just wait until I get my hands on those little schemers.

"Adrian was worried bad people would hurt you in Newport City. So he...kind of...made a plan to protect you."

Abigail launched into a surprisingly coherent explanation of her brother's brilliant scheme. The admiration in her voice was unmistakable - to her, Adrian might as well have invented anti-gravity boots.

The details made Vivian's blood pressure spike. "He WHAT? He's in Newport City ALONE?"

She pressed two fingers to her forehead, willing herself not to faint from sheer parental terror. That boy would be grounded until college.