ere a masterclass in cont

with an almost gleeful dedication to he

ys started

kfast preferences were relayed perfectly to t

ntact beyond carefully monitored calls with her own

a gilded cage, a servant with a mar

t be nearby or when she hoped to appeal to my chil

tears, pulling up a sleeve to show a faint mark on her

licted, or tiny marks exaggerat

ght have believed her.

Ava kne

the mark with wi

voice full of childish

ibly," she

I'd exclaim. "Or Mr. Pet

hloe wanted. An actual inve

kly. "We don't want to cause trouble.

g me, but I' d s

ven. Old enough to understand, young en

d it was time to escala

organizing my father' s papers. M

rf

vies?" I asked, my voi

at me, their expr

Ava?" Mr. P

looking down at my shoes as if I were about to cry. "She said Mrs. Da

witness my defense of her, paled. Th

darling, I didn't mean..

ng to her, my eyes wide with feigne

horrible to me! I try so hard, and they just bully me!" she wa

ed a look. They knew Chloe was lying

ld speak, I pla

s... they told me... they told me

soft, laced w

u threw hot coffee on Lily because it wasn't sweet enough. And you made Sarah

my past life, whispers among the staff that I

ent from pale t

a lie! They' re ly