hen he found me gone

as sulking in

on his arm, and found my closets half

to Chloe, pouring them both a drink. "

mated me. He

ey. He probably forgot the d

, and looked so much like Seraphina, especi

sometimes, when he wa

laying a role, and she was b

ned into

He expected me to cr

no one, Julian. No family, no real skills beyond thos

culture, the only thing that brought me peace in tha

know it wa

scraggly rosebush I' d coaxed into bloom, the on

t strength I' d cultivated in t

my departure. Julian waved

social events, grooming Chloe

hold continued, se

wilt. The head housekeeper, Mrs. Davies, who had

Mr. Sterling. Miss Clara alwa

dn't noticed. He rare

n starte

ask his nanny, his

. "Mama is on a little trip

a little trip. I