Nadine froze, her heart pounding in her chest as the sharp knock echoed through the quiet house. Liam, sitting cross-legged on the floor, perked up and smiled.
“Mommy, is that Daddy?” he asked excitedly, already scrambling to his feet.
“No, sweetheart, it’s not,” Nadine said quickly, forcing calm into her voice. She hurried over, catching Liam’s hand before he could reach the door. “Go to your room, okay? Stay there until Mommy says it’s safe.”
Liam looked unhappy, but he did what Nadine said. He slowly walked up the stairs, dragging his feet. Nadine waited until she heard his door close softly before she unlocked the front door and opened it a little.
The gardener was standing on her porch. His hands were in his pockets, and he looked worried. His eyes kept looking behind her into the
