Chapter 2 - The Rules Changed at Sunset
The first night was confusing.
The second was frightening.
By the third, Mia understood that Bernice was no longer pretending.
Breakfast became toast.
Then half a piece of toast.
Then nothing.
Whenever Mia asked where the cook had gone, Bernice said she had quit.
Whenever Mia asked for her nanny, Laine said she was sick.
Whenever Mia asked to call Rocco, Ralph said his meetings were too important.
"But Daddy always answers me."
"Not anymore."
Mia stared at him.
Ralph leaned down until his face was closer to hers.
"Your father has work."
She stepped backward.
"He said I can call."
Ralph took the tablet from her hands.
"He says a lot of things."
That same morning, Bernice brought Mia into the laundry room.
Two large bags of youth hockey uniforms were stacked near the washing machines.
More equipment filled the sports storage area beside them.
Mia looked around.
"Whose stuff is this?"
"Children who actually know how to behave," Bernice said.
Mia frowned.
Bernice placed a pair of oversized gloves in her hands.
"You are going to help."
"I'm four."
"Then you are old enough to learn."
Mia stared at the gloves.
"I don't know how."
Laine stood near the doorway.
"Mother, maybe this is too much."
Bernice looked at her.
That was all.
Laine fell silent.
Mia noticed.
Even Laine was afraid of Bernice.
Ralph dragged a basket across the floor.
"These need scrubbing."
Mia shook her head.
"I want Daddy."
Bernice crouched.
Her voice became soft.
That frightened Mia more.
"Your father knows exactly what is happening."
Mia stopped.
"No."
"He asked us to teach you."
"No."
"He is tired of you being spoiled."
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
Bernice continued.
"He said when he comes home, he wants to see a better little girl."
Mia shook her head harder.
"Daddy doesn't say that."
Bernice stood.
"You would be surprised what your father says when you aren't listening."
For a four year old child, doubt did not need evidence.
It only needed repetition.
By evening, Mia had begun to wonder.
Maybe Daddy really was tired.
Maybe Daddy really was angry.
Maybe asking for food was bad.
Maybe crying made everything worse.
The next morning, she stopped asking questions.
That made Bernice pleased.
But Mia was not the only person in the mansion paying attention.
Elena Park, a part time housekeeper who had worked for Isabella, arrived unexpectedly to collect a missing paycheck.
Bernice met her near the service entrance.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I called twice."
"You will be paid."
"I was told my shifts were canceled."
"Temporary restructuring."
Elena glanced past Bernice.
She saw Mia at the end of the hall.
Mia was carrying a stack of folded towels almost as large as her chest.
Elena frowned.
"Mia?"
Bernice immediately stepped sideways.
"She is helping."
"Where's Megan?"
"Ill."
Elena looked at Mia again.
Something about the child's face bothered her.
Mia usually ran toward people she recognized.
Now she stood still.
Watching.
Ralph appeared behind her.
"We have this handled."
Elena looked at him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Family matter."
"This isn't your family."
Ralph smiled without humor.
"Go home, Elena."
Elena looked toward Bernice.
"I want my paycheck."
"You'll get it."
"When?"
"Monday."
Elena hesitated.
Then she leaned slightly to see Mia again.
Mia had disappeared.
Bernice opened the service door.
Elena left.
But before she reached her car, she heard something from an upstairs window.
A child's voice.
Very faint.
"Miss Elena."
Elena stopped.
She looked up.
Nothing.
Then Bernice shut the door.
That night Elena sent Rocco an email.
She kept it simple.
I stopped by the house today. Something doesn't feel right. Please check on Mia personally.
Rocco never saw it.
The email went first through the Moretti household server.
Bernice had administrator access.
She deleted it.
Then she deleted the backup.
Or thought she did.
Across the house, Mia lay in bed holding Benny.
She had not eaten dinner.
Her stomach hurt.
She whispered into the stuffed rabbit's ear.
"Daddy is coming Saturday."
She repeated it again.
"Daddy is coming Saturday."
Then she heard voices beneath the floor.
The old mansion carried sound through the heating vents.
Ralph.
Laine.
Bernice.
They were inside the blue storage room beside the laundry area.
Mia climbed out of bed.
She pressed her ear near the vent.
Ralph sounded nervous.
"You said the account would clear yesterday."
Bernice answered.
"It will."
"And if it doesn't?"
"It will."
Laine spoke next.
"You transferred too much."
Ralph laughed.
"Now you're worried?"
"I told you not to touch Isabella's foundation."
Mia recognized one word.
Isabella.
Her mommy's name.
She moved closer to the vent.
Bernice lowered her voice.
Mia could barely hear.
"If Rocco finds the ledger, we lose everything."
Ralph said something Mia did not understand.
Then Bernice gave one final instruction.
"Keep the blue room locked."
Mia looked at Benny.
Then toward the hallway.
May you like
For the first time, hunger was no longer the only thing frightening her.
They were hiding something connected to her mother.
