Chapter 91

Raymond and Madeline were gone, and the vultures of doubt circled back. ‘See!’ Uncle Sebastian crowed. ‘Told you. Ominous. Bad luck follows her like a shadow. That woman brings nothing but trouble!’ Harper refused to believe Aunt Madeline was bad luck. Madeline had always treated her with kindness, better than the treatment she received from her own parents—neglect from her dad and bitter complaints from her mother. It was so unfair that the good guys always seemed to live shorter lives than the bad guys. Harper cried harder. Elodie gently stroked her back until the tears subsided. Eventually, Elodie broke the quiet with a question that hung heavy in the air. ‘Did they tell you what they are planning? Uncle Seb and your dad.’ Harper wiped her eyes and shook her head, her voice cracking as she spoke, ‘No, we only had that one dinner together. Uncle Seb just said I need to grovel, to beg you to let me stay with you, and then he’ll let me know.’ The room fell into a heavy pause, Harper he