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That’s exactly what this girl feels like.

A curveball. A sucker punch. An unexpected mystery.

Because I recognize something in her eyes. We share a kindred sadness, and I want to know what made her that way. I want to know what haunts her head.

I glance up at the window my nephew was looking at.

I suspect I already knowwhat he saw.

And I hope to God that I’m wrong.

9

EMMA

Rules.

This house runs on rules.

I’m given a full rundown, from the kid’s rigid schedules to the restricted areas in the mansion. Some of the rules are a little peculiar, but I don’t question it.

The biggest enigma of all is Klaus Sinclair.

He’s the kid’s uncle, but I learn that he doesn’t spend much time with them. After the strange incident this morning, he retreated to his study, and I haven’t seen him since. He didn’t even join us for dinner.

The kids are asleep now. I switch off the bedside lamp and watch their peaceful faces in the moonlight.

I’m concerned about the little boy. He’s been quiet all day. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s naturally a quiet kid or if it’s the aftermath of whatever he saw this morning.

Rosalie has been very distant. She’s about ten years old, and she hates my guts.

All things considered, it could have gone worse.

As I walk back to my bedroom, I can’thelp but glance over at the room opposite mine. I’ve been told that it’s Mr. Sinclair’s room.Definitelyoff-limits for me.

I slip inside my room and close the door behind me.

The opulence always catches me off guard.I can’t believe that this room is all mine. It’s a sanctuary worthy of a queen—a canopy bed draped in velvet, glowing sconces lining the walls, and fresh lilies adorning the antique writing desk. There’s even a kitchenette complete with a fully stocked mini fridge.

I head straight toward the balcony.

The room is gorgeous, but it’s nothing compared to the view.

The autumn air is refreshingly cold against my skin as I step outside. The stars glitter like thousands of diamonds in the night sky.The dark foliage is so vast that it’s all you can see for miles.

I close my eyes.

A smile lingers on my lips.

I think I can do this. I can stay here and take care of these kids.

Behind me, I hear the soft click of a door opening. I think it’s Mr. Sinclair. Like always, curiosity gets the best of me. I walk back inside the room and peer out into the hallway.

His spicy cologne lingers in the air. I catch him slipping inside the kid’s room.

Something tugs at my belly. I don’t know what comes over me, but I step out of my room.

My heart beats like a hummingbird inside my ribcage as I walk through the corridor.I stop in front of the kid’s room and peer through the crack in the door.