ate wrought-iron gates of Carlisle Estate on Long Is
other hand, and a beautifully w
the grand marble steps. The moment he s
said in a formal tone, as if speaking only to a chil
d Leo's hand tightly and led him up
ge crystal chandelier sparkling overh
ng tea from an exquisite porcelain cup. She wore a Chanel suit that pr
go of Ava's hand
d by a doting look. "My handsome darling," she whispered,
d placed the gift on t
nd said in sign langua
him. Her entire attention was fo
a moment, then slowly lowered and
box. "What is this?" she asked the
s a gift from
in the storeroom. We don
d deathly pale. She had spent weeks searching for that antiqu
id in his childish voice,
said, her voice soft but her words sharp as glass. "But
of blood. She dug her nails deep into her palms, the
o the driveway came from behind. Julian's admin
s attending a dinner party, madam. He apologizes o
isfaction flashing in her eyes
s gaze lingering on Ava. "Yes, ma
She's a calm, collected, and exceptionally capable young woman." She took a sip o
d Ava felt a tightness in her chest, as
public event at the time. Hi
o's hand. She stared straight
her," she ordered the butler. "The rest of u
ard to block Ava's path. But
strode up the magnificent, curved staircase. She would
ella downstairs say something to the housekeeper, her voice low, but the tone was
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