Chapter 4

The days that followed had a strange, hollow quiet to them. The Carter family seemed to have collectively decided I didn't exist anymore.

Linda stopped screaming at my door. Michael stopped showing up to accuse me of things. Richard didn't come near me at all.

The four of them floated through the house like some perfect family portrait, all smiles and easy affection, while I stayed tucked away in my corner of the estate like a shameful secret.

Fine by me. The silence was a gift.

While researching my exit strategy, I did one other thing. I spent my meager…