Evelyn assumed Adrian would want to remain at the mansion once police released it.

He surprised her.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Maisie can't heal in a place where every room became evidence.”

Evelyn nodded.

“What do you want to do?”

Adrian rented a smaller house ten minutes from Maisie’s school.

Normal backyard.

No pool.

No marble.

Three bedrooms.

Maisie chose one with yellow walls.

Clara’s nursery next door.

Rebecca helped.

Adrian removed nothing from Vale Estate except clothes, Caroline’s letters, and the brown leather duffel.

The doghouse stayed.

Under investigation.

Maisie asked once:

“Is Buddy’s house still there?”

“Yes.”

She looked sad.

“I used to like it.”

Adrian said:

“I know.”

Loss inside loss.

---