A soft knock on the door made us both turn.

Mrs. Alvarez entered the study carrying a silver tray with two mugs of chamomile tea.

“The children are asleep, Mrs. Carter,” she said gently. “The little one, Lily, wanted her stuffed rabbit, so I found it in her bag.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Alvarez,” I said, feeling a wave of gratitude. “You have been so kind to us.”

“You are safe here,” she said, giving me a warm smile before setting the tray on the table.

She left the room, closing the heavy oak door behind her with a soft click.

The rain outside grew heavier, drumming against the roof of the estate.

Richard handed me a mug, and the warmth of the ceramic felt good against my cold fingers.

Twenty minutes later, the headlights of a car swept across the study window.

We heard the front door open, followed by the sound of quick, decisive footsteps on the hardwood hallway.

Nora Singh walked into the study, shaking the rain from her umbrella before placing it in the stand by the door.