Dinner at the Walters house had already started to feel like a routine.
A strange routine.
But still a routine.
The long table.
The quiet staff moving in and out of the room.
Mr. Walter sitting at the head of the table like a judge watching a courtroom.
Mrs. Walter smiling softly at everyone as if nothing in the world could disturb her calm.
I had only been in the house a few days, but the pattern was already clear.
Lucas talked the most.
Adrian talked the least.
And their parents watched everything.
That night didn’t seem any different at first.
I walked into the dining room and found everyone already seated.
Lucas waved immediately.
“There she is.”
He pulled the chair beside him out with his foot.
“Come sit before my father starts another lecture about discipline.”
Mr. W
