h heels sinking into the soft ca

ontorted with rage. Her voice was low and vici

ching. She raised her hands w

er. Wherever he

be heard by the servants in the open hallway. She gave a dismissive snor

a faint, nauseating odor of withered flowers. The lighting was dim

rlisle II, lay on a pile of pillows with

Leo said softly, walk

ouded by age and illness, cleared a little when he lo

of feigned concern. "Father, how are you fe

ver his daughter-in-law and great-grandson, finally

he asked hoarsely, his voice weak and ras

ilent. Isabella

and sign language. Ava fel

y to make up some excuses for h

a small leather notebook and a fi

wrote down a sentence, and then h

ses on the bedside table and sq

family at the charity ga

satisfied. The tense atmosph

album out of her bag and gent

he museum, and in the playroom, drawing with his fingers. Next to each photo, she wrote detailed descriptio

the illustrations. His eyes welled up with tears. "You've done very well

her face filled with cold

g between Ava and Isabella, a hint of understanding flashing i

ess playing at the corners of her lips,

is happy, nothi

About your father..." he began, his voice hoarse like sandpaper. Isabella whirled around, her gaze sharp as a knife. The old man paused, then changed his words, "...I heard he was a

wer struggles, the silent suffering, and the cold war unfolding in

took Leo's hand, and l

them, Isabella grabbed her wrist, her

anything here," she hissed, her face almost

slamming angrily on the smooth floor, and went down the stairs. A

at the corner of the stairs. From downstairs came Isabella's voice on the phone-"...Tell Janice to stay a little longer tonight, and come straight o