Chapter 57
Rylee and Svetlana remained anchored in the shadows, watching Adeline and Jarvis disappear back into the upper reaches of the house. The air seemed to clear slightly once Adeline’s venomous presence was gone, though the distaste she had shown for Aurora—treating the child like a stain on her reputation—left a bitter chill.
They waited in the oppressive quiet until the rhythmic thud-click of several doors echoed through the hall, signaling that the pair had retired to their separate rooms. Upstairs, the crying had finally ceased. The silence that followed was heavy; Rylee knew that silence. It was the sound of a child who hadn't been comforted, but had rather exhausted her capacity to scream.
A fresh wave of sympathy washed over her. It didn’t matter that this Aurora was a mem
