rice

hush fell over the staff in the foyer. They bowed their heads

in my mind. It'

eady at the head of the long table, sipping her tea. When she saw

eyes, sharp and bird-like, darted between me and Brent

clinking of silverware loud in the s

rrying the weight of absolute law, "all matters concerning Devin,

face was a picture of disbelief. Warren looked equally stunned. Brent

, my dear," I said, using the endearment for the first time. It felt stran

ng the dining room, Eleanor caug

itting room, a cozy space filled with antiques and generation

ce. It was a breathtaking piece, a thick strand of diamonds culminating i

eanor said, her voice soft. "Brent's grandmother gave it

. It was a symbol. An investiture. It was Eleanor

g both respectful and strategic. I bowed my head as

ack of my neck. "Wear this," she said, her fingers warm against my skin. "And kno

and Martha entered without waiting for an invitatio

pure envy crossed her face before she masked it. "I just came to ask Beatrice, now that you're the lady of the house, if you'd l

a mountain of complex, tedious work, hoping I would eith

ts weight a steady comfort against my skin. I

entle intimacy to soften the blow I was about to deliver. "

smile f

ouse family, " I continued smoothly, "Trivial matters like household ledgers... I'm sure

l the sting of her duties

ruly find it too taxing, I can have my personal assistant, Elara, lend you

ing the power back to her as a 'favor,' and simultaneously reminding her that I had a h

o reveal raw frustration. She was checkmated. She mumb

isingly strong. "Well done," she said, her eyes gleaming

m. In the space of an hour, I had received the Don's

I found Elara. My mind was already

omething for me. Ke