e brass handle o

m the elevator cor

mmed against the doorframe, stopping

t his voice low so the staff wouldn't he

ead. She looked hi

ted wife cook a three-hour meal for

pond, the swinging door t

th Clara's family for decades, fiercely protective o

tension at the front door a

ng room, ma'am," Maura announced. He

wly. She let go o

to make a scene i

id. She turned and walke

e silverware gleamed in perfect, intimidating rows. Five chairs were placed at even intervals, though the

head of the table. She s

in the chair to the immed

a's

erated panic. She jumped up so fast her cha

sn't thinking," Dorcas stammered, he

d a heavy hand on Dorcas's shoulder and

oked at Clara. "It's just dinner. We don

elt a strange numbness sp

end of the long table and pulled out

the main course.

k. He sliced the thick, perfectly cooked me

pass the p

able and set the plate

etie. Eat up," Ch

The large slice of meat sat there,

ripped his fork.

t the porcelain plate. The sharp

eat?" Leo yelled. His voic

and shrank bac

is hands flat onto

oared. "You are acting like a spoiled brat. Autumn

led down L

father either!"

d his right hand, pulling it back as if

er than she ever

ood up and stepped in front of Leo, blocking

ere black

ed up Le

m," Clara said. Her voice

The nanny quickly dropped h

hand and walked ou

sitting together. She didn't need to. The

she and her son w