My finger hovered over the glass screen, my heart hammering against my ribs as the phone continued to ring.

I swiped the screen to answer, but the call disconnected before I could bring the phone to my ear.

A shadow fell across the threshold of the study.

I jumped, clutching the tarnished brass key tightly in my palm.

Aunt Claire stood in the doorway, her wool shawl pulled tight around her narrow shoulders.

Her pale eyes fixed instantly on the paper in my hand.

“You shouldn’t have looked in there,” she said, her voice thin and dry.

“Who is Rose Bennett Voss?” I asked, holding up the yellowed parchment.

Claire closed the door behind her with a soft click.

She walked slowly to the desk, her leather shoes scraping against the floorboards.

Outside, a sudden gust of wind threw heavy raindrops against the windowpane.

“She was your mother’s sister,” Claire said, staring at the floor. “Her twin.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“My mother never mentioned a sister,” I said.

“Because we made sure she didn’t,” Claire replied, her jaw tightening. “Rose was impulsive, and she ruined everything when she married Daniel Voss.”