in front of th

nd black, stretching endlessly on both sides. Beyond them stood a massive mansion, qu

art cl

her husba

s husband

ened the door for her. "Madam

am

lt too heavy

weak as her heels touched the ground. The gates closed b

haled

no turning

n a neat line. At the front was a woman in her late

woman said. "I am Mrs. Gr

o

tightened aro

," she rep

Mr. Hale has already left for work. He a

pau

sked, unable to hide t

Mad

over her-relief, disappointment

d. "I und

epped aside, an

e was...

ung from high ceilings, sparkling under soft golden lights. Every

the house

qu

perf

am," Mrs. Gran

d loudly, making her feel small and out of place. She could f

front of a lar

ale usually spends his evenings here

lanced

sonal

pho

war

t s

g," Lina

faintly. "Mr. Ha

ch was

rooms, indoor gym. Lina listened quietly, noddin

this f

reached the

pushed th

your room

a f

sized bed sat at the center, covered in dark gray sheets. Floor-to-ceil

rt beat

s room?" she a

f moment before answering. "

ed slowly

you need anything, please call.

quietly, closing t

e returned

stood

d walked further inside. Each step felt cauti

the edge

as s

so

t the mattress and stared at

ic's

sband'

he bare

ieved she was

quickly stood up again, una

ward the wardro

k colors. Expensive watches. Everyth

ns of

s of in

whether to feel

na," she whispe

stairs for lunch. The table was long, meant f

y, barely tas

her of how far she w

e café

shared a

ruggling t

s this

se alone. The servants kept their distance

t of a large window

oked so sma

t there, Ama

ought

ugged

she whispered.

sacrifice woul

assed

e remain

o the bedroom and sat on the

come ho

ould s

uld sh

even, dinner

ill hadn't

e house was

r phone

heart

bbed it

ess

mi

ergency meeting abroad. I'l

ad it

uldn't b

hest, followed by an

ped ca

i

. Safe

was a

er message

mi

ble. This is your home

gers tr

hom

hone and placed

on the massive bed. The oth

ed at th

e was to

o

lo

r side and pulled

sed to be easy,

pre

sur

er's bed, Lina realized som

did not mea

one else did not stop her

ty lights shimm