At the bottom of the page was a typed addendum.

*In exchange for the aforementioned sum, Richard Vance agrees to facilitate the union of Sarah Vance and Ethan Thornton, and waives all future claims to medical guardianship or estate inquiry.*

He had sold me.

He had known Ethan was in a vegetative state before I ever set foot in this house.

He had known I was being walked into a trap, and he had signed the papers anyway to save his own skin.

“He took the money, Sarah,” Jason said, watching my face with cold amusement. “Your father didn’t hesitate.”

“You bought me,” I whispered.

“I solved his problem, and he solved mine,” Jason said, stepping closer. “Now sign the petition so we can all move on.”

“Mrs. Thornton, please,” Mrs. Gable gasped from the doorway, her hands clutching her scrubs. “You have to come.”

I shoved the Swiss bank document and the petition deep into the pocket of my oversized cardigan.

“Hey!” Jason snapped, lunging forward to grab my arm.

I twisted away from his grasp, my shoulder hitting the edge of the mahogany bookcase.