Chapter 1 - THE SILENCE BEHIND THE DOOR
“Open it,” Beatrice whispered. “Lily stopped making noise.”
Leo Rossi stood in the kitchen doorway, rain dripping from his black coat. His six-year-old daughter was locked behind the iron cellar door. Beatrice Miller was slumped against it, blood running down her cheek, her fingers swollen around the handle.
Across the room, Victoria Kensington held a glass of wine.
“She attacked me,” Victoria said. “Lily’s having a tantrum.”
Leo looked at Beatrice. “Where’s the inhaler?”
“Her bedroom. Top drawer. Pink case.”
“Mateo.”
Leo’s oldest friend ran upstairs before Victoria could say another word.
Leo held out his hand. “The key.”
Victoria’s smile slipped. “Darling, you’re scaring me.”
“The key.”
She touched the pocket of her ivory slacks. Mateo’s younger brother, Rafael, stepped forward and took the key ring from her trembling hand.
Leo opened the door.
Cold air rushed out. He descended the stone steps, calling Lily’s name. At the bottom, he found her curled around a stuffed rabbit. She did not answer.
“Lily?” His voice cracked. “Baby?”
Beatrice stumbled down after him. “Lay her flat.”
Leo obeyed. Beatrice found a faint pulse and bent close enough to hear a thin, strained breath.
“She’s here,” Beatrice said. “She’s still here.”
Mateo returned with the inhaler. Together they helped Lily use it while Rafael called an ambulance. For several terrible seconds, her small chest barely moved.
Then Lily coughed.
“Daddy?” she wheezed.
Leo lifted her carefully against his chest. “I’ve got you.”
Lily reached over his shoulder toward Beatrice. “Bee.”
“I’m here, sweet girl.”
Leo carried his daughter upstairs, where Victoria waited beside the kitchen island.
Beatrice followed, gripping the rail with her injured hand. Lily needed a doctor. Beatrice needed one too. But Victoria was already looking at Leo with tears in her eyes, preparing the next lie.
May you like
Before she could speak, Lily buried her face against her father’s neck.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “Victoria took my medicine.”
