**Audrey's POV**

The Rose family was supposed to have staff bring Rachel up through the service elevator. That's what we'd been told.

Astrid and I weren't happy about it, but we understood. The back area of the hotel was a mess and the service elevators were grimy, but at least Rachel wouldn't be paraded in front of New York's elite like some sideshow.Small mercies.

We rushed to the back area as soon as we heard. Our plan was simple -meet Rachel the moment she arrived and take her somewhere quiet.

But after waiting by the elevator for nearly six minutes, dodging passing carts and nearly getting our toes crushed twice, Rachel was nowhere to be seen.

Something was wrong. I could feel it.

I grabbed Astrid's hand. "This doesn't feel right."

"You think something happened to her?" Astrid asked.

We shared a look and made a split-second decision. As the elevator doors started to close. we squeezed in alongside two workers with garbage bins.

The elevator rattled downward, making a noise like metal scraping against metal. The smell from the bins was overwhelming in the small space.When we finally reached the second basement level, I couldn't get out fast enough.

Once the staff rolled their bins away. Astrid pulled out her perfume.

"God, the Roses are pieces of work," she said, giving herself a quick spray."We passed at least three other service elevators upstairs. One was literally bringing up champagne."

She squared her shoulders, voice rising. "But they stick Rachel in this one?With the garbage? Just because she can't complain?"

"And that's exactly why I need to get her out," I said, turning on my phone's flashlight. "I won't leave her with people who treat her like this."

I started walking. Astrid caught up.′′used to think you were being dramatic about this whole rescue mission. Now I get it."

She shook her head. "Leaving Rachel with the Roses is basically feeding a lamb to wolves."

We swept our lights across the dimly lit basement, moving past pipesand storage areas. And then, in a corner where the ceiling dripped with condensation,we found her.

Rachel was on a hospital bed, with only Nora struggling to move her.She held a folded wheelchair in one hand while trying to push the bed with the other.

On the bed, Rachel lay still, her eyes open and wet with tears. Just watching.

My heart broke. There aren't words for how that felt -seeing my friend like that, abandoned in a basement.

"Nora!" I called out.

Nora spun around. The wheelchair slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor with a loud bang.

"Sinclair Miss? Wilson Miss?" Her eyes filled with tears.

I rushed to Rachel's bed. "Why are you alone down here?"

Astrid picked up the fallen wheelchair. "The Roses said they'd arrange for staff. Is it just you?"

Nora wiped her eyes. "Mrs. Rose assigned several staff initially,but Miss Rose said tonight was too important and reassigned them. I've been trying to move her myself,but..."

"They left you to handle a vulnerable patient alone?" The anger in my voice surprised even me.

"It's always been this way," Nora said with a sad smile. "Even before her accident,Miss Hayes was never the favorite."

"Those heartless bastards," Astrid snapped, gripping the wheelchair."Making you drag Rachel through this filthy basement while they prance around upstairs."

Nora's shoulders sagged. "I just want her at the event. She should be part of her sister's engagement."

I looked down at Rachel. Our eyes met. Though she couldn't speak or move, her gaze was alive with awareness. A tear slid down her temple into her hair.

My throat tightened. I took her limp hand and squeezed it gently.

"We'll help you,"I said firmly.′′We′11get her upstairs."

The next twenty minutes were a struggle. Nora led the way,clearing our path. Astrid and I pushed Rachel's bed through a maze of corridors and elevators.

By the time we reached Astrid's hotel room, I was drenched in sweat, my legs threatening to give out. My illness made even this exertion almost unbearable.

"I∘'m taking a shower. I smell like garbage," Astrid announced.disappearing into the bathroom.

I collapsed into a chair beside Rachel's bed, trying to catch my breath.

"Are you alright? You look pale," Nora asked.

"Just tired," I lied, wiping sweat from my forehead.

"Would you like to shower?"

I shook my head. As much as I wanted to wash away the basement grime,I knew my legs wouldn't support me.

I turned to Rachel, gently taking her hand in mine. Her skin was cool,her fingers fragile.

"I'm so sorry it took me solong," I whispered.

Her eyes locked onto mine, intense and clear despite her immobile state.For four years, I'd believed she was being treated abroad,never imagining she was just miles away.

"She understands everything," Nora said quietly. "She appears unresponsive, but Miss Hayes is aware. She just can't express it."

I nodded. running my thumb over her knucklos. "I know, I took care of

Blake when he was like this."

Nora sighed heavily. "She's been aware of everything these past four years-every neglect, every harsh word, every time they discussed if keeping her alive was worth it."

My chest tightened at the thought of Rachel trapped in her body, enduring such cruelty without any way to respond.

"I always thought she'd recover someday," Nora continued. "Mr. Parker woke up, didn't he? Why not Miss Hayes?"

Her eyes flashed with anger. "But what has the Rose family done in four years? Even her mother once said Miss Hayes doesn't need to wake up,she just needs to stay alive."

"She's been imprisoned in her own body for four years, with no end in sight," Nora said, tears streaming down her face. "Is that even living?Sometimes I wonder if death would be kinder."

As those words left Nora's lips, I felt movement against my palm. Rachel's index finger twitched. A tear leaked from her eye.

The sight broke my heart. I tightened my grip on her hand.

"Listen to me, Rachel," I said firmly. "You're going to be alright. I promise."

I held her gaze, determination flooding my voice. "I'm getting you out of here tonight, away from the Roses."

I glanced at Nora, whose mouth had fallen open. "And I'll find you proper treatment-the same specialists who helped Blake.You*will*recover.I won't glve up on you."

*If only I'd known earlier", I thought bitterly."could have contacted Dr.Harrison Clarke immediately.*

*Even if he can't help, there are other doctors. Rachel has time - all the time in the world to recover. Unlike me.*

Nora stared at me. "Sinclair Miss, are you saying..."

"I'm taking Rachel away tonight," I confirmed. "Thank you for caring for her all this time."

Nora burst into tears, clutching my free hand. "Thank God Miss Hayes has friends like you. You're her blessing."

She wiped her face. "I wanted to help her too, but I'm just an old servant.I've done terrible things just to stay by her side, to keep from being dismissed..."

"I couldn't even acknowledge you at the mansion last time. I was so afraid.·

I smiled gently. "It's alright. I understand."

"But there's something I've been wanting to know for a long time now."