The warmth of the house enveloped us as we stepped inside, the vibrant laughter from the dining room drifting faintly through the corridors. Yet, despite the light and noise that filled the manor, I felt a strange stillness settle over me. The moment we crossed the threshold, the weight of the charade eased, only for something else, something heavier, to take its place.
The soft chime of Mr. Evans' phone broke the silence like a ripple across still water. He hesitated before pulling it from his pocket, his movements calm and measured, but there was a shift in his expression—so brief, so fleeting, I might have missed it if I hadn't been looking directly at him. His gaze flicked to the screen, then to me, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to that single glance. My faint smile faltered
