Chapter 2 - Footsteps Above
Marcus grabbed the fireplace poker before Elena could stop him.
"Stay here."
"Absolutely not."
"You just had some kind of episode."
"And someone is upstairs."
The words landed badly. Marcus's jaw tightened, but he nodded once. "Behind me."
They climbed the grand staircase together, Elena barefoot, one hand braced under her stomach. Blackwood Estate seemed to hold its breath around them. Portraits of dead Blackwoods watched from the walls with pale, superior faces.
At the top, the east hallway stood empty.
A door swung gently near the nursery.
Marcus moved first. He shoved it open.
No one.
Only the half-finished nursery, smelling of paint and cedar. A white crib stood beneath the window. On the mattress sat a small red gift box.
"Was that there before?" he asked.
Elena shook her head.
Marcus lifted the lid.
Inside was a silver baby bracelet engraved with one word.
BLACKWOOD.
No first name. No initials. Just the family name.
Elena felt sick.
"She told me names don't matter until the bloodline is secure," Elena said.
"My mother says a lot of ugly things. That doesn't mean she drugged you."
"You think I did this to myself?"
"I think you're scared. I think you're exhausted. I think we need a doctor."
There it was. Not accusation exactly, but the doorway to it.
Elena backed away. "And when the doctor says I'm unstable? What happens then?"
"Nothing happens. I take care of you."
"Your mother has spent six months telling everyone I can't handle this house."
"This isn't about the house."
"Everything in this house is about the house."
A soft buzz came from Marcus's pocket. He looked at his phone.
His face changed.
"Who is it?"
He hesitated.
Elena snatched the phone from him.
The message was from Victoria.
ARE YOU WITH HER NOW?
Another message appeared before Elena could speak.
DO NOT LET HER SEE THE RED DRESS.
May you like
Elena looked toward the nursery doorway.
At the far end of the hall, someone in red slipped around the corner.
