Maria.
Everything was finally sorted out at last. The meticulous details of the escape plan were locked into place, and the suffocating weight that had been pressing down on my chest finally began to lift. I would finally leave this gilded cage and be together with Noah again, putting all of this nightmare far behind me.
I really don't know why he didn't show up while we were all discussing the whole issue, but I guessed he was simply trying to avoid Vincent's watchful eyes. It made sense; bringing himself into the open while tension ran this high would have compromised everything we were trying to build.
Vincent, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying wherever he was, because I had heard through the quiet whispers in the hallway that he hadn't stepped out of his room for hours. His absence was a rare blessing, giving us the breathing room we so desperately needed.
