Chapter 14
Evelyn did not move back into my room.
I never asked.
She chose a small suite overlooking the garden.
Door unlocked.
Windows open.
Anna helped her choose furniture.
Not Bianca’s old staff.
New choices.
At night, Evelyn sometimes walked the halls because sleeping behind a closed door felt impossible.
I saw her once at two in the morning near the bridal suite.
“Want company?”
She shook her head.
So I stayed twenty feet away.
That became our arrangement.
Close enough if needed.
Far enough to remain choice.
A week later she entered the old suite alone.
The floor panel was open.
Lights now lined the passage beneath it.
No hidden locks.
No one could be trapped from outside.
She stood over the opening.
“I used to count footsteps.”
I said nothing.
“Bianca’s sounded different from Marcus’s.”
Silence.
“Anna’s vacuum was the first sound that felt normal.”
I looked toward the machine in the corner.
Ordinary object.
Rescue signal.
Evelyn smiled faintly.
“I hated that vacuum.”
I almost laughed.
“Then why choose Anna?”
“Because she cursed at it.”
I stared.
“What?”
“Every Tuesday.”
Evelyn imitated Anna under her breath.
I laughed.
First time inside that room.
The sound felt almost disrespectful.
Then Evelyn laughed too.
May you like
Good.
Let the room hear something else.
