She was only seven, but she had lived in this house long enough to know when the air was heavy with tension.

She nodded silently and slid off the mattress.

I put the backpack on her shoulders and took her small hand in mine.

“We have to be very quiet,” I whispered. “Like we’re playing a game.”

She nodded again, her grip tightening on my fingers.

We walked out of her room and down the narrow service hallway.

These stairs were used by the staff, leading directly to the kitchen and the mudroom.

As we descended, the sound of shouting from the front of the house reached us.

“You ruined everything!” Grant’s voice echoed up the stairwell.

“You did this to yourself, boy,” Conrad roared back.

Lily flinched, pulling closer to my leg.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head. “We’re almost to the car.”

We reached the kitchen.

The stainless steel appliances gleamed coldly in the dark.

I grabbed my purse from the counter and found my car keys.

The heavy brass ring clinked against the counter, and I froze, holding my breath.