Tanya Foster nestled against her shoulder, whispering, “If it really doesn’t work. out–well, we’re not stuck in Vistapeak City. Once I’ve saved up enough, we’ll go. somewhere else, just the two of us.”


    She patted Tanya’s head and smiled, warmth in her eyes. “Alright. I believe you. We’ll go somewhere new.”


    Tanya had thrown herself into work since starting her job, recently even showing signs of a promotion and a raise.


    She truly believed Tanya’s future would only get brighter.


    That’s why she didn’t say, “It’s no use.”


    Because it wasn’t.


    Even if Tanya made partner at thew firm–or owned it outright–none of it would matter in the face of those people.


    And leaving? That wasn’t an option.


    She’d tried, long ago. When it came time to apply for college, she’d picked nothing but


    out–of–state schools.


    But in the end, the only eptance letter she got was from Vistapeak University.


    Paige Murphy, the family’s iron–willed matriarch, had chained her life to Vistapeak City. There was no escape.


    Or maybe–just maybe–there would be, once Matriarch Paige Murphy was gone.


    She could feel it, the old woman’s hatred–a cold, imcable thing, present from the very start. But she’d never been able to guess why.


    At four in the morning, with darkness still pressing against the windows, the phone rang from Murphy Manor like a summons from the grave.


    A call from the Murphys at this hour was never good news. Elissa’s sleep scattered in an instant, anxiety tightening her chest. “Hello?”


    “Miss Elissa,”


    It wasn’t the matriarch’s voice–it <b>was </b>Butler Murphy, his tone as t as ever. “The car is already in Vistapeak Gardens. Pleasee downstairs.”


    11:14


    A chill ran down Elissa’s spine.


    So, the family already knew she’d moved out.


    And she could guess why–something to do with what happened at the hotel tonight.


    te–Paige Murphy’s favorite grandson.


    But it wasn’t as if she’d tried to pursue anything…


    Elissa pressed her palm into her hand, willing herself steady. “Understood.”


    She got up, washed her face, and changed into fresh clothes before heading downstairs.


    A ck Rolls–Royce waited outside the building. Butler Murphy held the door open for


    her. “Miss Elissa.”


    “Thank you, Butler Murphy.”


    She sat quietly throughout the drive, making no attempt at conversation.


    In the Murphy family, she was the perpetual outsider.


    Butler Murphy was loyal to the matriarch alone–there was no way he’d confide in her.


    And if he did say anything, it would be because Paige Murphy wanted her to know. If that were the case, he’d offer it unprompted.


    There’d been no snowtely, but the roads were still icy from the cold. The driver took the winding mountain roads slowly and with extra caution.


    “Mr. te was injured. You know how that happened, don’t you?” Butler Murphy’s sudden question broke the silence as they neared the estate.


    Elissa didn’t flinch. She kept her gaze straight ahead, calm and unreadable. “I don’t. After I left the hotel, I just went home.”


    “<b>Miss </b>Elissa, you know what happens to those who lie to Matriarch Paige Murphy.” Butler Murphy adjusted his <b>sses</b>, his voice low and edged with warning.


    Elissa pressed her lips together. “I truly don’t know.”


    As the words left her mouth, the car rolled to a smooth stop at the manor’s gates.


    Butler Murphy led the way, and she followed, step for step, into the shadowy garden and toward the old woman’s wing.


    She’d walked this path countless times.


    <b>11:14 </b>


    Every time, it felt like it drained every ounce of strength she possessed.


    No matter how many steps she took, there was never a glimmer of light at the end.


    “Matriarch, Miss Elissa is here-”


    Butler Murphy’s announcement was cut short as, without warning, a teacup arced straight toward Elissa’s forehead.


    She’d seen the old woman’s hand move but made no effort to dodge.


    The cup struck her at the hairline, bright blood blossoming across her skin before the cup ttered to the floor, red droplets sshing her ankles.


    At least, she thought with a distant sort of gratitude, it hadn’t been filled with hot tea.


    The atmosphere in the hall was tense and prickling, and now and then, anguished cries drifted down from the second floor.


    “What are you standing around for?”


    The old woman’s eyes drooped at the corners, but her anger was unmistakable–a storm waiting for its target. “Get over here!”


    “Yes, Grandmother.”


    Elissa wiped the blood from her brow before it could drip into her eye, then stepped forward, stopping a meter from the matriarch.


    Paige Murphy rose to her feet and fixed Elissa with a cold, assessing look. “Closer.”


    11:14