Lily stepped into the hug, but it felt wrong. Madeline smelled like perfume, sharp and heavy, and the embrace felt stiff, almost cold.
From the kitchen, Emily watched. She had worked in the house since Mrs. Harrison’s death. She had helped raise Lily. Something about the way Madeline’s smile disappeared when Daniel looked away made Emily uneasy.
“Emily,” Daniel called. “Could you bring coffee?”
“Yes, sir.”
When Emily returned, Madeline’s hand rested firmly on Lily’s shoulder. Too firm. Lily stared at the window like she wanted to vanish.
“I’ll be traveling to Chicago next week,” Daniel said. “Ten days.”
Madeline’s eyes flickered with something like excitement.
“That soon?” she asked sweetly. “Lily and I are just bonding.”
“You’ll have Emily,” Daniel replied. “She’ll help.”
That night, Emily brushed Lily’s hair.
“Do you like Madeline?” she asked.
Lily hesitated.
“She smells funny.”
“How?”
“Like old flowers.”
Emily felt a chill.
“Are you leaving?” Lily asked suddenly.
“No,” Emily promised. “Never.”
But once Lily slept, Emily sat alone, certain that promise would soon be tested.