Chapter 5
The household staff thought I approved everything.
Of course they did.
Evelyn had sent instructions from an email account formatted almost exactly like mine.
Not hacked.
Imitated.
DAMON.LOCKWOOD.PRIVATE instead of DAMON.LOCKWOOD.OFFICE.
Small difference.
Enough.
One message:
Hazel must become less dependent on sentimental objects before the wedding.
Another:
Do not interrupt Evelyn’s correction sessions unless there is genuine injury.
Correction sessions.
My hands went cold.
I looked at the head housekeeper.
“You received this?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever speak to me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
She looked ashamed.
“Ms. Price said you did not want staff questioning parenting decisions.”
There it was.
The easiest way to make abuse invisible:
Call verification disrespect.
I scrolled further.
Move Hazel’s bedroom preparation to the east wing after the wedding.
My breathing slowed.
“What preparation?”
The housekeeper hesitated.
Evelyn answered.
“She needs a new room.”
“Why?”
“Because Sophie—”
She stopped.
There was no Sophie.
Interesting.
Not a mistake in story.
A thought leaking from somewhere else.
“Who is Sophie?”
Evelyn froze.
Miles looked away.
I repeated the question.
“Who is Sophie?”
No answer.
Then Cora said quietly:
“I know.”
Everyone turned.
“She’s Evelyn’s niece.”
My fiancée had never mentioned a niece named Sophie.
Cora continued.
“Eight years old. Miles’s daughter.”
I looked at Miles.
He stared at the floor.
“And what does his daughter have to do with Hazel’s room?”
May you like
Silence.
I already knew the answer would be worse than tennis balls.
