“The gates require a private code, and there are cameras covering the entire perimeter.”

“Good,” I said.

“Nobody gets in without my permission.”

I walked up the wide staircase to the second floor.

The wooden banister was smooth under my hand.

At the end of the hallway was a bright, corner room with windows facing east and south.

The walls were currently painted a dull beige.

“This will be the nursery,” I said to myself.

I touched the wooden window frame.

The morning sun would warm this room perfectly for my baby.

“We can have the painters start tomorrow,” Jennifer said, standing in the doorway.

“What color?”

“Yellow,” I said.

“A soft, bright yellow.”

I looked out the window at the spacious backyard.

A mature apple tree stood in the center of the lawn, its branches heavy with red fruit.

The yard was completely enclosed by a high stone wall.

My daughter would be safe here.

No one could lock us out of this place.

Jennifer sat with me at the kitchen island, which was topped with thick white marble.