“What?” I frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I put my hands up. “Let’s start over. Why did you go to Karen’s house and pretend to be me?”
“I already told you why.”
“How did you find out about me?”
“I told you that as well. And they say I’m the crazy one.” She huffed out a laugh. “Last time you were here, you cut my hair against my will. I told you I didn’t like my hair this short.”
“You’re sure it was me?” I inched closer. “Stella, look at me.”
She did, her eyes scanning my face before nodding. “It . . . well, she looked like you. Like me. But no. I guess it wasn’t you. She had longer hair and her skin was lighter. Her mouth wasn’t full like ours.”
Stella nodded.
“How did you get my address?”
“I told you. I found your file.”
“How did you know I existed?”
“I saw you. I’ve seen you before, but the night of the party here I really saw you. I confronted my father about it.”
“You were the one Aisha saw arguing with him,” I whispered.
“After, I went to Dr. Maslow’s office.”
“She must have countless patients. How’d you find mine?”
“It’s the only file they keep in their top right corner, in the locked drawer. Neil does the same with mine.”
“How’d you get the key?”
“I took it from Debbie’s keyring.”
“And then you went to Karen’s?”
“I tried to explain it to her since my own father didn’t believe me, but she didn’t believe me either, and the minute she realized I wasn’t you, she flipped out, got a gun, aimed it at me. I hightailed out of there.”
“Did you get into a car accident?”
“I don’t remember.” She frowned. “I think I went straight home.”
“And then?”
“Then I told my dad everything again. He called Neil. They brought me here. I’ve been here since.”
“So you didn’t go to The Manor?”
“I did, to escape this.” She waved around the room, “But Neil greeted me outside.”
“Outside The Manor?”
“I guess he had someone following me.”
“Was he inside or outside of the gates?”
“Inside. Why?”
“I think they’re all in on it.” I swallowed. “Where’s your dad now?”
“Home, I assume.”
“Has he visited you?”
“No.” She shook her head sadly. “Why?”
“Have you heard from him at all?”
“He sent me flowers the other day.” She smiled. “Pink lilies.”
“And you’re sure they were from him?”
“It had his name on it and was written to Baby Girl. Why?”
“Debbie told me your father had gone missing during a hiking trip with your brother.”
“My brother?” she laughed. “Now that’s bullshit. My brother barely goes outside. He’d never agree to hiking.”
“Then Debbie lied.” I felt my heart sink as I spoke those words. Was that possible? I’d seen the news article. One news article. “Your dad made me go to The Manor. He told me to pretend I was you. He gave me your car, your schedule, everything.”
“And you did it?”
“He told me you were missing. He said you’d gone to The Manor and then poof, disappeared.”
“Why would he want you to pretend to be me?”
“Because obviously someone is after you. After both of us.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, but there’s more though.”
There was a knock on the door, followed by it opening slightly and Adam peeking inside. “We have to go. Marcus can’t keep the cameras down much longer without it looking weird.”
“I’ll be right there.”
He looked between Stella and me and nodded as he stepped outside again.
“Nolan Astor?” Stella looked at me, brow arched.
“His brother.”
“Adam.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m in a class with them.” She sighed heavily. “I miss my classes.”
“I went. As you.” I took a deep breath. “I think you should leave with us.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“They’ll know.” Her eyes widened. “If I leave, Neil will know. They’ll know we’re on to them. As it is, I had to bribe one of the nurses to make copies of your file for me.” She stood quickly and lifted one side of her mattress, taking a folder out and handing it to me. “You need to take this with you.”
“Just come with us.”
“I can’t.”
“I know you’re scared. I get it, but we can call a news station and tell them our story. If it’s out there in public, they won’t be able to lock us up, will they? Or we can hide. We can—”
“This is Neil and Debbie Maslow we’re up against. For all I know, they fired my father over this. I need to find more information on why they did this to us. Why would they keep us away from each other? Why not introduce us? Me staying in here is the only way.”
“We can find information together.”
“So, stay.”
“You know I can’t do that.” I clutched the folder and looked away. “If I stay, neither of us will have a way out.” I reached out and set my hand on hers. “Please come with me.”
“I can’t.” She blinked unshed tears. “I’ve been here too long. I’m scared of what awaits me outside of these walls.”