~Isabel~
The whole mansion felt different the second I stepped through the door.
I needed something normal, something to keep my hands busy and my mind far away from that text William had sent. So instead of hiding in my room, I followed the smell of garlic and roasted spices straight to the kitchen.
Mrs. Davis, our part-time cook, was standing by the huge central counter with her back to me. She was a round, warm woman with streaks of grey in her brown hair, always tucked neatly into a bun. I’d learned she’d been with the Sterlings for years, like most of the staff here.
"Need an extra pair of hands, Mrs. Davis?"
She turned around, her eyes crinkling into a smile that instantly made me feel a little lighter.
"Oh Isabel, you’re a lifesaver! I’m running behind on prep. These carrots
