The Hayes household’s hall stood hushed, its air thick with dread, only Henry, Addie, and I remaining. Addie fidgeted, her unease palpable in the oppressive silence. She’d witnessed Henry’s punishments meted out to me, and his ambiguous stance now unnerved her. Her eyes darted to the door, yearning for Grace’s return to shield her from his wrath. But Grace was absent, and Henry rose, his steps deliberate as he closed the distance to Addie. Her gaze lifted, wide with terror, meeting her father’s cold stare.
Henry’s hand shot out, seizing her hair. Ignoring her struggles, he dragged her across the floor, up the stairs toward the study. “Help! Mom!” Addie’s screams pierced the quiet, but Grace didn’t appear. Desperate, she turned to me. “Layla, please, help me!”
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
