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.

*****

left Aubree’s room and climbed to the third floor, knocking on

all the info on Aubree at school. Send it

bore the signs of recent tears, and the surprise in Bryan’s gaze hadn’t even had a chance to dissipate before he was

eye on her, requiring a monthly report of all incidents

time to check the documents his assistant sent. He only asked for

to you; mine’s outdated,” Bryan said

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 Outdated meant Bryan, despite assigning someone to watch over Aubree, hadn’t cared enough to check on her, not even bothering to open

knew everything about Carmen

to them in the Wilson family? She hadn’t even received

his fists clenched at his sides. “Okay,” he bit out, not staying

lose control

but realized he

assistant quickly compiled all the information and sent it

all about Aubree’s school life over the past three