THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME CARRY A SILVER TRAY ACROSS HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER WITH A FRESH BURN ON MY RIGHT WRIST—

I backed away from Mrs. Ellis.

"What are you talking about?" My voice trembled. "My mother is at home. She just got out of the hospital."

Dominic looked at the letters, then at me.

"Sophie," Mrs. Ellis said gently. "The woman who raised you, Helen Bennett... did she ever tell you where she worked before you were born?"

"She was a nurse," I stammered, my burned wrist aching.

"Yes," Mrs. Ellis said. "She was a pediatric nurse. At a private psychiatric facility in Switzerland."

The hallway suddenly felt devoid of oxygen.

Dominic looked up from the letters. His eyes were wide. "Helen Bennett was the nurse assigned to Leo's ward."

"She didn't just care for him," Mrs. Ellis said. "She helped him escape."

Evelyn pressed her handkerchief to her mouth, stifling a sob.

"Escape?" Dominic demanded, his voice rising. "When?"

"Ten years ago," Mrs. Ellis replied. "When Margaret stopped paying the facility to keep him quiet, they were going to transfer him to a state ward. Helen smuggled him out."

I shook my head violently. "No. My mother never mentioned a boy. We lived alone."

"Not always," Mrs. Ellis said softly. "Think, Sophie. When you were sixteen, did Helen take in a boarder? A young man who stayed in the basement room?"

My blood ran cold.

Arthur.

He was a quiet, terrified young man who lived with us for three years. He never spoke above a whisper. He always kept his head down. And he drew pictures of large, iron gates.

My mother told me he was a distant cousin recovering from a car accident.

"Arthur," I whispered.

Dominic stepped toward me, grabbing my shoulders gently. "Sophie. Where is he now?"

"I don't know," I cried. "He left one night. He just packed a bag and disappeared. My mother cried for a week."

Dominic looked at the top letter in his hand.

It was postmarked three days ago.

From Chicago.

"He's back," Dominic said, staring at the handwriting. "Leo is in the city."

Before anyone could say another word, the sound of high heels echoed down the marble floor of the main corridor.

Margaret Harrington was walking toward us.

"Dominic?" her shrill voice called out. "Darling, the guests are wondering where you went!"

Dominic immediately shoved the letters into his inside jacket pocket.

He looked at Evelyn. "Hide in the pantry. Now."

Mrs. Ellis quickly ushered the older woman into the dark storage room, pulling the door shut just as Margaret turned the corner.

Margaret stopped, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

Dominic. Me. And the tension in the air.

"What is going on here?" Margaret asked, her gaze dropping to my bandaged wrist. "Is this girl still complaining about her little accident?"

"Sophie was just updating me on the security arrangements," Dominic lied effortlessly, though his jaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek.

Margaret smirked. "Security? For a wedding? Really, Dominic, you're becoming paranoid."

"I have enemies, Margaret."

"Well, leave the help out of it," she snapped. She reached out to straighten Dominic’s tie. "Come back to the table. Grace is getting anxious."

As Margaret lifted her arm, the silk sleeve of her emerald gown slid back.

My eyes darted to her wrist.

There, gleaming against her skin, was a heavy gold bracelet.

But it wasn't just any bracelet.

It was a custom-made piece. I had seen it before.

Arthur had drawn it.

Dozens of times, in his little sketchbooks. A gold band with three distinct ruby stars.

He used to stare at the drawing and shake in terror.

Margaret noticed my stare. She yanked her sleeve down sharply, her eyes flashing with pure venom.

"What are you looking at, girl?"

"Nothing, ma'am," I whispered, bowing my head.

Dominic saw the exchange. He looked at Margaret’s wrist, then at me.

"Margaret," Dominic said smoothly. "That’s a beautiful piece. A family heirloom?"

Margaret’s smile didn't reach her eyes. "Something like that. Come along, Dominic."

She turned and walked back toward the dining room.

Dominic waited until she was out of earshot. Then he turned to me.

"Sophie. Why were you looking at her bracelet?"

I swallowed hard. "The boy who lived with us... Arthur. He drew that exact bracelet in his notebook. He said it belonged to the monster who locked him away."

Dominic’s breathing stopped.

He looked toward the dining room.

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

"Get Grace," Dominic said to me.

"Sir?"

"Go to the dining room. Tell Grace I need her in the library. Now."

I nodded and ran.

But when I reached the dining room, Grace’s chair was empty.

I scanned the room. The guests were drinking coffee. Margaret was holding court at the head of the table.

I rushed to a passing waiter. "Where is Miss Harrington?"

The waiter frowned. "She left about five minutes ago. Said she had to make a phone call."

I turned and sprinted toward the library.