The Queen They Buried

Chapter 13

[Let’s meet on Saturday. I’ll text you the exact spot later.] Aubree replied to Alvin’s last message and flipped through her tenth grade textbooks.

She found it a bit amusing that she’d chosen the tutoring time for their meeting. Yet Alvin agreed so readily, clearly not taking the tutoring seriously. She wondered what expression he’d have when he found out Phoenix was her.

The first step was successful, despite the unexpected appearance of Bowen. Overall, things were going well.

Every semester, the first day of school at Rithol High School would include a start-of-term exam. It served two purposes: checking if students had slacked off over the holidays and reminding them of the effort needed for the new semester.

Her pen swiftly marked the pages as she studied. She considered herself a genius, but missing nearly two years of schooling was a fact.

During those two years of art school, her cultural lessons were shallow, and her mind was preoccupied with how to please the Wilson family. So, she only had a vague grasp of the subjects.

Aubree didn’t expect much from the start-of-term exam; making it into the top 100 would be a pleasant surprise. She had too much to do and no time to waste.

Shaking off distractions, she focused on her textbooks, absorbing knowledge like a dry sponge dropped into a vast ocean.

*****

and climbed to the third floor, knocking on Bryan’s

info on Aubree at

whose eyes still bore the signs of recent tears, and the surprise in Bryan’s gaze hadn’t

an eye on her, requiring a monthly report of all incidents

busy and didn’t have time to check the documents his assistant sent.

have my assistant send it to you; mine’s outdated,”

trouble

offhand remark hit Emery hard. Outdated meant Bryan, despite assigning someone to watch over Aubree, hadn’t cared enough to check on her, not even bothering to

always knew

even received family care, so how could they demand

at his sides. “Okay,” he bit out,

he’d lose control and

realized he had no right to do

the information and sent

of info, all about