he polished marble floor as we

ilings, their warm light casting an

the stairs without a word, and I followed in silence, too frightened t

renzo stopped before a fancy door. His hand re

d, his voice so low

y, and with a final glance, he closed

y, but I pressed a hand to th

est, as if urging me to r

g I stood there befor

've seen a ghost,"

ce. A woman stood a few feet away

ark hair, which was neatly pinned back. Her simple dress, t

e faltered, ba

smile. "It's alright. You don't h

t felt out of place here, and I c

us step closer. "I manage the mansion

eemed to sense my unease, folding her hands n

nt, her voice soft. "Let's ge

seemed sincere, but trust wasn't som

n, and the promise of rest, even te

, walking toward

y, her steps light, stoppin

r room," Anna sai

asement? ...No c

white linens, sat at the center of the room. A closet stood to one side, its polished

m, and a small couch sat near the wind

. too beautiful fo

ide, gesturing

ed my hesitant footsteps, and the faint scent of la

was everything I could have dreamed of, but I

ently. "I'll bring you some foo

aid, my voi

d, looking

roat tightening around the word

ftened as she took a

ace to say," sh

d, my voice tremblin

mplicated man. But he's not cruel. I don't know why yo

little comfort. Not c

n, her voice firmer this time. "Get

t of the room, closing th

ce, laying on it with a soft

'll be late

I said, rushing downstairs,

acked your favorite," Mom cal

I'll be back b

, baby. I

you to

y dream carrying the moment she was alive-a pi

the pillow to my chest,

y chest as I remembered her smiling face, her soft

I froze, snapping my

of food, setting it down on

, Daisy," she

My throat was too

she continued, her to

embled as I picked up the garlic bread, the

n, making me flinch,

n a dark tailored suit, his eyes meeting

ing me up, before turning on his heel

but she smiled. "Go take a show

ng? Did I sleep too much? I kept questioning

n you act before questioning him," Anna said, not

y said, opening

ng... act first... act fir