el, her hands calloused from a day of cleaning and tending to the household, lingered by the sink, rinsing a dishcloth. The

and curious boy, had seamlessly integrated into the Thompson children's lives, his laughter echoing through the hallways alongside Sarah, Michael,

h of the family. His gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary, his voice softened when he spo

olished floor. He was dressed in a silk robe, his hair tousled, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. Is

and husky, "I couldn't sleep. I thoug

e floor. "I'm just finishing up," sh

nt a shiver down Issabel's spine. "Don't rush," he sa

rd's attention, his subtle gestures of affection, his lingering gaze. She had always maintain

aid, her voice barely above a wh

s voice laced with a hint of disappointment. "But I was just wonder

her family with Richard, never shared the details of her life before coming to Bristol. Sh

her voice trembling slightly. "I don'

voice gentle. "But I was just curious. You seem like such a kind

ns: a desire to confide in Richard, to share the details of her life with him, but als

she said, her voice barely above a whisper

sure you miss them," he said, his voice soft and symp

es, about Ethan, and her dreams for a better future. But she couldn't, not yet. She had to k

e said, her voice trembling s

"You're very welcome, Issabel," he said, his

was amiss, that a storm was brewing beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect life. She had always felt safe in the Thompson househ

unfolding in the kitchen. She had been drawn by the sound of Richard's voice, her intuition telling her that something was amis

ard's voice softened when he spoke to Issabel, the way his eyes lingered on her a moment longer than necessary. His warmth towards he

Issabel's cheeks, the way her hands trembled slightly, the way her eyes darted nervously around the room. Eleanor k

uestioning Issabel about her life before coming to Bristol. Issabel, ever polite

n Mexico?" Eleanor asked casually a

Not really, Mrs. Thompson. Just my parents and

and she was determined to uncover the truth. That evening, she decided to search Issa

the mansion. She scanned the room, her eyes falling on a small, leather-bound journal tucked away

exico, her struggles, her fears, and most shockingly, her deep and unspoken

. She knew she had to confront Issabel, but she needed to do it carefully

study. Issabel entered, her eyes wide with apprehe

anor began, her voice calm but firm. "I've noticed certain...dy

vously. "Mrs. Thompson, I... I don't know

found your journal. I know about your feelings fo

I've tried to keep my distance, but...Richard is kind, and he's shown me more compassion

etrayal cut deep. "Issabel, I believe you when you say nothing has happened. But you need to

s. "I understand, Mrs. Thompson. I will keep m

nk you, Issabel. I appreciate your honesty. Let's wo

secret that could have shattered their seemingly perfect life. Now, she had to navigate the

ts they all harbored threatened to disrupt their lives at any moment. She resolved to stay vigilant,