chapter1250

"I'm fine, but you..." Lucinda trailed off, her gaze lingering on Grace's tired face. She honestly had no idea what to say. No matter how things ended up like this, Grace being stuck in here was partly her fault.

"I'm really okay in here. How have you been? Has anyone been giving you a hard time? Grace watched Lucinda closely. She could tell right away-the Norwoods must have been making trouble for her girl again. Wasn't Mr. Norwood replaced? Wasn't the new one supposed to look out for Lucinda? Then why did she look so sad?

Lucinda's eyes turned red, her lips pressed together. She didn't say anything, but Grace got it. It had to be those awful people in the Norwood family, picking on her daughter again. It made her furious. She was stuck in here, unable to help, and Night Eagle hadn't sent anyone to break her out. He was just going to let her watch her precious girl get hurt over and over. It broke her heart.

"Lucinda, you need to eat more when you go back. You've lost so much weight. I want to see you happy again, like you used to be. Promise me you'll try to find that joy you had before. I just wish... I wish I could be the one to get you a present for your next birthday."

Lucinda's birthday was still months away. She didn't take it seriously and tried to smile. "Grace, by the time my birthday comes around, you'll be out already. You'll definitely be there to celebrate with me."

Grace nodded, her tone meaningful. Alright. I'm not home, but I've got two plants by the window. If you get a chance, could you water them for me?"

Lucinda frowned for a second. Two plants? She was being asked to water them? But Grace's eyes were pleading, so Lucinda nodded. "Yeah, I'll go check on them when I can."

"Thank you, Lucinda. I'm really happy you came to see me today."

That was the end of their visit. Lucinda stood up and left. Grace watched her daughter's shadow disappear down the hallway, tears streaming down her face. There was nothing in this world she cared about more than Lucinda. She just hoped her girl would understand the hint she'd tried to give.

After Lucinda left, Byron sat at his computer, replaying every word of their conversation. The only thing he was sure of was that Grace had tried to tell Lucinda something... about the window.

Byron remembered there weren't

any plants by the window. What was there, though, was the phone Grace had tossed away in a panic. Grace must still be thinking about that, phone. That was probably why shed tried so hard to get a message to Lucinda.

Just in case, Byron told someone to keep an eye on Lucinda.

Back at school, Lucinda couldn't stop thinking about what Grace kad said-the thing about watering the plants by the window. She frowned, stilkpuzzled. Whatever she thought, I'll just go check.

She had a key to Grace's place, but never carried it with her. Grace had told her once that the spare was hidden under the doormat. Staring at the dirty mat, Lucinda made a face, not wanting to touch it. But she remembered Grace s tear-stained cheeks and finally crouched down to dig the key out, looking completely grossed out.

Getting the door open took a while. She walked around the little apartment, looking everywhere, but there were no plants. Not even a single pot by the window.

Lucinda stopped in her tracks.

Grace couldn't have forgotten whether she had plants or not. She'd said that on purpose. Was she trying to tell her something?

Lucinda felt so stupid for not realizing sooner. But what exactly was Grace hinting at? She forced herself to remember every word, every little thing Grace had said. Suddenly, her eyes went wide.

Was Grace talking about that incident?