Chapter 2 - I Pretended to Sleep After Drinking the Tea—and Heard Someone Unlock My Bedroom Door
The shadow disappeared before I reached the hall.
Noah clutched my sleeve.
"Don't tell Grandma," he whispered.
I promised nothing except this.
"I'll listen when you need me."
He watched me as though testing those words.
At eight, I tucked him into bed.
He insisted the door remain open.
I left the hallway light burning.
Downstairs, Eleanor waited beside a silver tray.
"Chamomile," she said.
A porcelain cup steamed beside a honey jar.
"Our staff sleeps better with routine."
I remembered Noah's warning.
"Thank you," I said.
I carried the cup upstairs untouched.
In my room, I photographed the silver button.
A tiny crest decorated its face.
A bird beneath three stars.
The same crest appeared on the servants' uniforms.
But my blouse had ordinary plastic buttons.
Someone wanted me to think about that difference.
At ten thirty, a soft knock came.
"Did you enjoy your tea?" Eleanor asked.
"Very much."
I heard her pause.
"Sleep well, Emma."
I poured the tea into a sealed travel bottle.
Then I hid it inside my suitcase.
I left my lamp burning.
At midnight, I heard the lock turn.
I closed my eyes.
A woman entered wearing soft shoes.
I smelled lavender and something medicinal.
She stood beside my bed.
"She's out," she whispered.
Another voice answered from the hall.
"Check the cup."
A cabinet opened.
Porcelain clicked.
"Empty," the woman said.
I forced my breathing to remain slow.
A gloved hand touched my wrist.
Two fingers pressed against my pulse.
Then she left.
I waited until the footsteps faded.
When I opened my eyes, someone stood outside.
Noah.
He was holding a flashlight.
"They took the old lady away," he whispered.
"What old lady?"
"The one who helped Mommy."
He pointed toward the east wing.
I crouched beside him.
"When did that happen?"
"Before Mommy went away."
His voice cracked on the final word.
"Grandma said I dreamed it."
At breakfast, Eleanor asked whether I'd slept.
"Like a stone," I lied.
She smiled for the first time.
Then Adrian appeared with an unexpected announcement.
"Emma, the agency called."
May you like
He held up his phone.
"They say you resigned this morning."
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