Chapter 1 - THE CUP SHE WOULD NOT LET HIM DRINK.

Ethan Blackwood had lifted the porcelain cup almost to his lips when his five-year-old daughter ran barefoot into the mansion kitchen.

Lily clutched a gray stuffed rabbit against her chest and screamed, “Dad! Don’t drink it!”

The cup stopped less than an inch from Ethan’s mouth.

Behind the marble island, Mrs. Harper froze beside the range.

Anna, the younger kitchen maid, stared at the floor.

Ethan lowered the cup slowly.

“What happened?”

Lily pointed at Mrs. Harper with a trembling finger.

“I saw her put medicine in it.”

For one second, no adult moved.

Then Ethan placed the cup on its saucer.

A pale tablet was dissolving at the bottom of the dark tea.

White powder turned in slow circles beneath the surface.

Mrs. Harper touched her chest, and a tiny empty medicine packet slipped from her apron onto the counter.

Anna stepped away from her.

“Sir, I saw it too.”

Ethan’s expression changed from confusion to controlled suspicion.

“Why would you do this?”

Mrs. Harper shook her head.

“I was forced.”

Lily’s eyes filled with tears.

“The person who called her is outside.”

A shadow appeared behind the frosted hallway door.

Ethan moved Lily behind him and reached for the kitchen intercom.

Before he could speak, Mrs. Harper whispered, “Do not open that door.”

The shadow stopped.

Then a man’s voice came through the glass.

“Harper, tell Mr. Blackwood the medicine was meant to save him.”

May you like

THE TEDDY BEAR SAW EVERYTHING.

THE BEGGAR WHO CAME HOME.

SHE HEARD MOMMY UNDER THE FLOOR.

Ethan recognized the voice.

It belonged to his younger brother, Julian.