Chapter 4

The night deepened, and the only sound in the woodshed was the ragged whisper of my own breath.

The ropes cut into my skin, with my wrists and ankles chafed raw and bleeding. I closed my eyes, and my mother's face bloomed in the darkness.

I could almost hear her voice, soft and warm. "Evelyn, my love, I've embroidered a little rabbit for you. Do you like it?"

But I would never see her smile again.

I didn't even know where in the sprawling estate her memorial plaque was hidden, if it was gathering dust in some forgotten corner.

Neil…