Timothy sat in the backseat of the car beside Emily while the driver handled the wheel. The car moved through Cloud City's late-afternoon traffic, quiet and steady.
Timothy wasn't quiet, though not inside. He kept stealing small glances at Emily every few seconds, waiting for her to frown, complain, or at least tell him she didn't want him picking her up from school.
But she didn't say anything. She simply leaned slightly against the seat, her eyes half-closed in exhaustion, her mind far away from the world, far away from him.
Her phone buzzed again. And again. Then again.
She didn't check it.
Timothy tried not to stare at the phone poking out of her school bag. But curiosity finally cracked his calm when his own phone vibrated.
A message from Jack.
*Boss, check the school forum. They posted a photo of Young Madam entering the car. They're calling you an old man… and saying she's being kept.*
"An old man"
"Me"
