Chapter 5 - Dawn at Ravenwood
The sun rose over Westchester County the next morning, burning away the lingering October mist and painting the manicured lawns of the Ravenwood estate in brilliant shades of gold and amber.
I stood on the stone balcony outside my bedroom, buttoning the cuffs of a crisp white shirt, breathing in the clean, cold morning air.
Down in the east courtyard, through the wrought-iron gates, I saw Clara walking along the gravel path holding a small red umbrella, while three-year-old Emma skipped beside her, clutching her gray stuffed rabbit by its mended ear.
Emma stopped, looked up toward the mansion, and spotted me standing on the second-floor balcony.
She didn't wave.
She simply raised one small hand, pressing a single finger lightly against her lips.
Shh.
I offered a rare, quiet smile, raising two fingers in acknowledgment before turning back inside to start the day.
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The wedding was canceled. The traitor was locked away. The empire was secure.
And in a house built on secrets, silence was the only currency that truly mattered.
