Chapter 1 - THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS.
Lucas Reed entered Hawthorne House soaked by the storm and found eight-year-old Emily crying beneath the marble staircase.
“Please don’t leave me alone with her again!”
He knelt, took her trembling hands, and asked what happened.
Emily looked toward the landing.
“She said you would never believe me.”
Victoria Hale appeared above them in a black beaded gown.
“She is exaggerating. Nothing happened.”
Lucas moved between them.
“I believe her. Stay where you are.”
For months, Victoria had told him Emily resented their engagement, invented nightmares, and acted out whenever he traveled. The private school, family therapist, and household manager supported her.
Lucas had trusted polished adults over a child with swollen eyes.
Emily handed him a small brass key.
“She locked me in Mom’s old room.”
Victoria’s calm vanished.
“That room has been sealed for years.”
Emily pointed upstairs.
“Then why was someone crying behind the wall?”
A heavy thud sounded from the forbidden room.
Lucas started climbing.
May you like
Emily tightened her grip on his hand.
“Dad, she isn’t the only one up there.”
