d came to a halt in front of the main entrance. A

pened the

s sinking into the gravel. Th

t was tailored to within an inch of its life. Her blonde hair was pulled back

ng. The stepmot

to greet Serena. She

w her, forcing herself to loo

oved hand and grabbed Serena's chin. Her grip was

rena were a horse she was considering buying. But

ame, Hig

the West Wing. Do not bring her into the main house. I have guests

ving a wedding? Ser

her fingers, and a man in a grey suit stepped forward

ready processed the license in your absence. You are legally bound to this family

ed suffering. "There is no cake. There is

walked into the house. The

red to the le

vergrown with ivy. The West Wing was separated from the main ho

d. It smelled of antiseptic an

was a keypad and a retinal scanner. He

s Gra

r hisse

ychiatric ward. The walls were white padding. The floors were linol

ng is automated. Food comes through the secure slot. Medications are dispensed remotely. The panic butt

utes? she

t and pulled out a key card. This opens his room. Do not go in unless he i

r hand was shaking. Is h

toward the en

ry not to provoke him.

or slammed shut behind him. The lock engage

was

the hallway

n, from the room at the very end

oss the floor. And then, a low, guttura