CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT - Beneath the Surface

Relief washed over Rebecca. She hadn't realized how much she had needed Luca's support until that moment. "Thank you," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "You have no idea how much that means to me." As the day progressed, Rebecca couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted in the mansion. The air felt heavier, more oppressive. The strange occurrences that had plagued her since her arrival seemed to intensify, as if the spirit—or spirits—were reacting to her determination to uncover the truth. She caught glimpses of shadowy figures out of the corner of her eye more frequently. The sound of weeping echoed through empty corridors. At one point, she could have sworn she heard a man's voice whispering "Elena" right next to her ear, though she was alone in the room. Emilia's behavior grew increasingly erratic. The housekeeper alternated between shooting Rebecca venomous glares and watching her with an expression of barely concealed fear. More than once, Rebecca caught Emilia mu