Chương 11 - The House Felt Different Without Her
The mansion was quiet the morning after David returned from the coast.
For the first time in eighteen months, there was no Vanessa walking through the halls.
No perfume drifting from the staircase.
No sharp heels against marble.
No carefully rehearsed smile whenever a staff member entered the room.
The silence should have felt peaceful.
Instead, it felt enormous.
David stood in the foyer where Teresa had been tied.
He could still see the rope marks on the marble column.
He could still remember her terrified eyes.
He closed his eyes.
“Mr. David?”
He turned.
Teresa stood several feet away.
She had returned only to collect a few personal belongings before beginning her leave.
Her wrists had healed physically.
But David could tell she was still carrying the memory.
“You don't have to come back here yet,” he said.
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
Teresa looked around the foyer.
“Because I don't want this house to be the last place where I was afraid.”
David didn't know what to say.
She walked toward the column.
For a moment, she stood silently beside it.
Then she touched the marble.
“I was terrified that night.”
“I know.”
“I thought nobody would believe me.”
David's jaw tightened.
“I should have known sooner.”
Teresa turned toward him.
“You believed me when it mattered.”
“That isn't enough.”
“Maybe not.”
She smiled faintly.
“But it mattered.”
David looked at her.
“I meant what I said.”
“What?”
“You're coming back as property manager.”
Teresa hesitated.
“I don't know if I can.”
“You don't have to decide today.”
She nodded.
Then she looked at the column again.
“I think I want to.”
David smiled.
“Then we'll make sure this house becomes a different place.”
May you like
Neither of them knew how much that decision would change their lives.
---
