Page 19 of The Vow Thief
The receptionist’s brow furrowed.“I’m sorry… you’re Matt’s sister?”
“Yes,” Lily said, nodding.“Half-sister, actually. We don’t really look alike.” She laughed lightly, the sound brittle.“I just need to get them before they hear anything scary from someone else.”
The receptionist didn’t smile back.“Do you have ID?”
“Of course.” Lily slid her driver’s license across the counter.
The woman studied it, then typed something into her computer. Her expression didn’t change, but the room seemed to cool.“I’m not seeing you listed as an approved contact.”
Lily leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing something confidential.“It’s an emergency. Their mother might be dead.”
The receptionist looked up sharply.“I just spoke with Sarah Taylor this morning. She seemed perfectly fine to me.”
For a split second, Lily’s smile faltered.“Maybe it happened after that. Things change quickly.”
“I’ll need to call the Taylors to confirm,” the woman said.
“That’s not necessary—”
“It is,” the receptionist interrupted. Her tone had lost any trace of warmth.
Lily’s fingers curled on the edge of the counter.“If you call them, you’ll just scare the kids more.”
“The kids are fine,” the woman said, already picking up the phone.“Please have a seat.”
Lily sat, but her gaze was fixed on the office door as if she could will the children to appear. Heat rose under her collar. What if the woman actually called Sarah? What if she answered? The whole thing could collapse in seconds. For half a heartbeat, she considered walking out, abandoning the plan. Then her eyes caught the reflection in the office glass. Polished smile, crisp blouse, perfect hair. She looked every bit the woman who belonged here. She wasn’t leaving without those kids.
The receptionist dialed a number, her voice bright and casual when the other end picked up.“Mr. Taylor? Hi, it’s Pam at Highland Park Elementary. I have Lily Thompson here saying there’s a family emergency and she needs to pick up Tommy and Emily.”
A beat of silence. Then Matt’s voice came through low and hard, every word sharp.“Keep her there. Tell her the kids will be right out. Do not let her leave.”
Pam straightened slightly, her eyes flicking back to Lily’s polished smile.“Of course, Mr. Taylor. I’ll keep her here.”
Matt’s tone left no room for question.“She is not supposed to be anywhere near my kids. I’m calling the police. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He hung up without another word.
Pam set the phone down slowly, forcing her face into its usual calm.“If you’ll just give me about ten minutes, Ms. Thompson, I’ll make sure they’re brought right to you.”
Lily’s smile widened, the corners of her mouth twitching with something just shy of glee.“Thank you. They’re going to be so happy to see me.”
She squirmed in her chair, crossing her legs, drumming her manicured nails lightly on the armrest.
Across town, Matt was already in his car, one hand white-knuckling the steering wheel while the other punched in the number for the police dispatcher. He didn’t call Sarah. Not yet. If she knew Lily was at the school, she’d be there in five minutes with no concern for who got in her way.
By the time the flashing blue lights pulled up to the front of Highland Park Elementary, Matt was just a block away, and he had no intention of letting Lily walk out on her own.
The bell over the front office door chimed. Two police officers stepped in, scanning the room. Lily clocked them instantly, heart giving one hard kick in her chest. She didn’t move.
Pam stood and waved them over. Their voices dropped low, but Lily strained to catch fragments. “…call came in… not authorized…”
She kept her expression neutral, leaning back in the chair like she had all the time in the world. Inside, her pulse was a war drum.
The bell chimed again. Matt stepped inside.
For one brief, stupid second, she almost smiled. Then she noticed the way his eyes slid right past her and locked on the officers.
“Matt.” She stood, eyes shining.“I knew you wouldn’t let them keep us apart.”
