Mom kissed my cheek before squeezing one more time. “I love you so much, and I’m going to miss you like crazy. Please be careful.”
I sniffed and turned away toward Aiden. He stood next to dad, watching us with a hint of confusion. I couldn’t let Mom’s emotions get to me. I forced a laugh. “Mom cries over everything, huh?”
He giggled as I moved to him. I kneeled down and wrapped my arms around his small shoulders. He hugged me back, and I closed my eyes, wanting to commit this moment to memory.
“I’ll miss you so much,” I whispered. He balled his fists in my shirt. “Be good for Mom and Dad, and take care of Mr. Snuggles and Brielle for me, okay?”
He squeezed me one more time and pulled away. “I will.”
I smiled and kissed the top of his head the way Dad had done to me. “I’ll call and talk to you soon. I’ll show you all the cool trees.”
He grinned. “Maybe you’ll see a bear!”
I widened my eyes. “That would be so cool.”
He nodded, bobbing on his toes. Good, now he had something to occupy his thoughts and look forward to talking to me about.
Brielle was still sleeping on the couch, but I couldn't leave without saying bye. I snuck over and gently kissed her chubby cheek then stroked a finger down her smooth arm. “Bye, sweetie.”
She didn’t move, and I was a bit disappointed. I knew she wouldn’t remember whether I said bye later, but I couldn’t help feeling guilty.
Masie moved to the front door. “Ready?”
I glanced around the room at my family, offering them each a smile before nodding and following her out to my future. We loaded my suitcases into the trunk of her car, and I waved once to where my parents and brother were waiting on the porch.
My heart nearly shattered to pieces as I got into the front seat, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to leave. I had to protect them. I had to find out the truth of who I was. The Drexel Academy might hold all the answers.
Chapter 4
The closest major airport to the academy was still a two-hour drive, but Masie explained as we landed in Grand Falls that we were taking another plane to a small private airport the school owned.
What kind of school had something like an airport? Not even the fanciest of Ivy leagues had that. That question fell pretty low on my priorities right now, though. I was too tired to care about those kinds of details. Our last flight had been a red-eye following a painfully long layover in Chicago. All I wanted now was a bed and to be left alone for twelve hours.
Exhaustion would make sure I wouldn’t dream, but my churning mind wound me up too much to rest. I tried to ask Masie questions on the previous two flights, but she kept her answers vague, promising to answer them all later.
Well, we were running out of time. Later had to be now.
“This way.” She led the way through the airport to a set of frosted glass doors. There was no sign marking an entrance, but she walked through confidently and smiled at the woman standing at a high counter.
“Ms. Stone?” The lovely brunette greeted.
“Yes, and this is my niece, Saige.”
She offered me a pleasant smile. “Welcome. Please make yourselves comfortable. Can I get you anything to drink? Water, soda, wine?”
“No, thank you,” Masie replied.
“If you think of anything, let me know.”
Masie thanked her and headed across the luxurious lounge. The cream and gold carpet coordinated flawlessly with the walls, furniture, and decor.
“What’s this?” I asked, heading to the soft leather couch she sat on with a heavy sigh.
“It’s the lounge for the private flights,” she answered, before kicking her feet up on the table in front of her. She sure was making herself comfortable. I glanced around for any other employee or other passengers, but we had the huge room to ourselves.
“When is our next flight?”
She closed her eyes and dropped her head back. “An hour or so.”