r

pulled in, the contrast between my almost run-down hom

roke-standing in the entryway, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. Her expr

st lau

sidering every move she had pushed fr

mediate family, she made it look so shabby and almost disgraceful. but

t's brother, I heard had h

y but Gra

e most docile one among them. But does it take my mind off him

ly, stepping out of the van and stretch

voice clipped as I

ggage," I explained, my tone deliberately

urprise me? Sometimes it's the ones at the bottom of the p

g, slow and deliberate. "Funny thing about the bottom of the pyramid,

he diamond ring caught the light. "Oh, wait-Sierra, i

o make peace. I was here to set the record straight.

rty," she snapped, her compo

rong with my van." My words dripped with the same

g ceilings, glittering chandeliers, furniture so expensi

here for the view. I

secrets of this house, it would be the employee.

n two elderly women at the far end of

dness in their faces was almost jarring-so different

heir voices gentle yet knowing. Around the k

e in a long while

" I replied

preferences," one of them said,

I shrugged. "I eat just abou

nd heirloom tomato salad with aged balsamic for starters, Wagyu steak-medium rare-or roasted organic chicken with truffle mash

trust anything you make.

here was a flicker of something else be

everyone is o

preference i

ou cook different m

astes," Agnes explained. "You, too, actually. B

nt

. I remembered Sierra shouting at a planner on why she didn'

ght surprise my new family wi

house where people need

the air, deep and la

and ther

r Pem

my stare lingering, he stopped, facing me fully. "No need to try so hard," he drawled. "Gran

in his voice

ast my husband is a whole worl

hat's that supposed to mean?" He squ

repeated what you insinuated. And I don't appre

en-his insecurity. The way his entitl

ed. S

ep in this hou

linch. "I

f, and controlled, but there was something almost amusin

ke," Lilian said quickl

a knowing smile tugging at my lips. When she hesitated,

d the exit, where Hu

ke needed to