Chapter 3
The staff records confirmed it.
Two weeks earlier, Tove had sent a household memo.
No medical accessories at formal family events unless specifically approved.
I read the line twice.
Medical accessories.
As if Mireya’s inhaler pouch were jewelry.
One maid had objected.
Tove removed her from nursery duty.
That maid was brought to me within the hour.
She entered crying.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
No comfort first.
Truth first.
“What happened?”
“She told me Mireya was using the inhaler for attention.”
“Did you believe her?”
“No.”
“Then why stay silent?”
The maid looked toward the door.
“Ms. Mercer said Mr. Chase would have me removed from all Ravello properties.”
I stared.
Chase had no authority to do that.
But apparently everyone believed he did.
The maid continued.
“One time Mireya started wheezing after running in the garden.”
My jaw tightened.
“Tove took the pouch.”
“What did she do?”
“Held it out of reach.”
Silence.
“For how long?”
“Maybe thirty seconds.”
Thirty seconds to an adult.
An eternity to a frightened child.
“What did she say?”
The maid swallowed.
“That if Mireya stopped crying, she could have it.”
I closed my eyes.
Control.
Basic need turned into obedience test.
When I opened them again, the maid was still crying.
“Did Margaret know?”
“Not that time.”
Good.
At least one person had not failed in that exact way.
Then the maid added:
“Tove said something else.”
“What?”
“She said after the wedding, Mireya would need to learn the Mercer rules.”
I stared.
Mercer rules.
Inside a Ravello house.
For my daughter.
May you like
The engagement had apparently convinced Tove she was not joining my family.
She was preparing to reorganize it.
