Chapter 3 – A House Full of Shadows
Three days later, Nora returned to her tiny apartment.
The overdue rent notice still hung on the door.
Bills covered the kitchen table.
Nothing in her life had changed.
Except everything had.
She couldn't stop thinking about Lily.
Nor could she forget Vincent's haunted expression.
That afternoon, a black luxury sedan parked outside her building.
Neighbors peeked through curtains.
Vincent stepped out alone.
"I need your help."
Nora frowned.
"I already told you, I don't want money."
"This isn't about money."
He hesitated.
"Lily hasn't eaten since she left the hospital."
Nora's heart tightened.
"She says she'll only eat if you're there."
An hour later, Nora reluctantly entered the Callahan mansion.
It was enormous.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Every hallway echoed.
Every servant whispered.
Without Elena, the house felt more like a museum than a home.
Then Lily saw her.
She ran across the marble floor and wrapped both arms around Nora.
"You came!"
For the first time in days...
The mansion heard a child's laughter.
But not everyone welcomed Nora.
From the second-floor balcony, Vincent's older brother, Marco Callahan, watched silently.
His eyes narrowed.
"If that waitress wins Lily's heart..."
He muttered to himself.
"She'll eventually influence Vincent."
May you like
Marco smiled.
"And that can never happen."
