Callie immediately covered Hannah’s mouth, scanning the surroundings to make sure no one was there before letting out a sigh of relief.
“What does that mean? Have there been other women like me living here before?” Callie asked.
Hannah nodded. “Many. They were all my dad’s girlfriends, but some were too naive and couldn’t escape.”
Callie shuddered, imagining the fate of those women who couldn’t get away. “Why did you help them?”
“Because they looked pitiful, just like you, covered in wounds,” Hannah replied sincerely, her eyes wandering.
“In that case, Hannah, let me think about it. Tomorrow at this time, come find me again, okay?”
Hannah agreed and turned to the wall, pulling out a brick and crawling back underground to where she belonged.
Callie’s mind was in chaos. Her rationality told her not to trust anyone, but this was a four or five-year-old child. She couldn’t possibly have any ulterior motives.
“Where did you go?” Back in the room, Jaquan was struggling to stand up, leaning on a cane.
Callie went over to help him and deflected his question. “You’ve been away from Ylosea for so long. Won’t the Ellison family be angry?”
Upon hearing this, Jaquan asked, “What’s wrong? Are you jealous of Marilyn?”
“Jealous? Dream on,” Callie replied, returning to her usual self and grabbing a pillow to prop him up. “Dream on. I’m just curious.”
“It’s good to be curious. The two of us disappearing at the same time, Ylosea might have already spread rumors about us,” Jaquan said with a wicked smile, lighting a cigarette to ease his pain.
Callie ignored him and speculated, “True, Maevelyn went back, Marilyn lost her power. As their son-in-law, you naturally have no use anymore. Ahmad probably wants you gone. So, you don’t want to return to Ylosea because it holds no value for you.”
Through the smoke, he scrutinized her. “How can you be so sure that Marilyn has lost her power?”
Callie shrugged, implying that it was obvious.
Suddenly, she thought of something. “I heard that when Maevelyn was being examined, her birthmark received Ahmad and Sienna’s approval. What kind of birthmark is it? It’s so mysterious.”
Speaking of birthmarks, Callie had one too, but she rarely paid attention to it. She thought it was ugly and always subconsciously covered it up when she was intimate with Nelson.
Upon hearing this question, Jaquan’s hand holding the cigarette paused for a moment without looking at her. “I don’t know.”
Callie continued packing her things, unaware of his unease.
“Jaquan.”
“Yeah?”
“I… I… I was thinking…”
He looked up. “Thinking about what?”
Callie stared into his eyes and suddenly couldn’t continue. Leaving behind the person who saved her life like this was just inhumane!
“Never mind.”
The second hand ticked away as time flowed on. After what felt like an eternity, Jaquan grew tired and returned to bed. He turned on his side and suddenly said, “If you can leave, then leave.”
Decisive and straightforward.
Callie stood still, shocked that he had seen through her intentions. “I…”
“Your heart isn’t here. You want to find Reuben, I understand. But if something happens this time, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Jaquan almost gave up on himself as he set the conditions.
Callie stood there for a long time before finally making a decision. “If you ever need my help in the future, I will be there without hesitation.”