Night had settled over Silvermere Estate, and the entire villa was quiet.
The turmoil surrounding the day's presentation had left Madeline exhausted.
After a shower, she returned to her bedroom in a soft silk robe.
Lucas and Rebecca's behavior over the past several days kept circling through her mind, along with the obstacles posed by her family.
Her head began to ache again.
Drying her damp hair, she walked toward the window.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass, garden lights cast warm pools of gold across the grounds.
Her phone lit up on the table.
Charlotte had messaged to ask how she was doing and whether Lucas had continued bothering her.
Madeline's finger hovered over the screen, but she never got the chance to reply.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Three measured knocks sounded at th
