Chapter 3 - The Stranger in the Mansion
The drive back to the sprawling estate was suffocatingly quiet.
Julian sat in the back seat, dwarfed by the plush leather interior, his dirty fingers tightly gripping Lily’s small, clean hand. Lily didn’t seem to mind the grime; she simply looked at her new older brother with awe.
In the front seat, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Eleanor couldn't stop looking in the rearview mirror, tears continually refreshing in her eyes. But Richard’s knuckles were stark white as he gripped the steering wheel.
"It’s a miracle, Richard," Eleanor whispered, wiping her cheek. "I can't believe he's alive."
"Yes," Richard replied. His voice was flat. Hollow. "A miracle."
When they arrived at the mansion, the staff was thrown into a frenzy. A warm bath was drawn, fresh clothes were brought, and a doctor was called. After the doctor gave Julian a clean bill of health—aside from severe malnutrition—Eleanor sat by his bed.
Julian looked so small in the king-sized guest bed. He stared at the ceiling, his eyes darting to the shadows in the corners of the room.
"You're safe now, my sweet boy," Eleanor murmured, stroking his damp, clean hair.
Julian slowly turned his head to look at her. "Does he live here?"
Eleanor frowned, confused. "Richard? Yes, honey. Richard is my husband. Your father passed away before you were born, remember? Richard has been helping us."
Julian pulled the heavy silk duvet up to his chin. His voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "He smells like the dark room."
Eleanor’s hand froze. "What dark room, Julian?"
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Before the boy could answer, the heavy oak door creaked open. Richard stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the hallway light. He wore a tight, artificial smile. "Is the boy asleep, Eleanor? We need to talk about… the press. This is going to be a media circus."
Julian flinched, squeezing his eyes shut. Eleanor looked from her terrified son to the man standing in the doorway, and for the first time in five years, a chilling seed of doubt took root in her heart.
