Eleanor Vance’s visit bothers me.
I can’t stop thinking about it.
The way she looked at me.
The way she paused at the door.
The way she said, “You look familiar.”
Does she know who I am?
Does she remember me from the summer I spent at the Albert estate?
Does she know about Sophie?
I try to push the thoughts away.
I tell myself I’m being paranoid.
But the feeling won’t go away.
A few days later, I’m at the grocery store with Sophie when I see her again.
Eleanor Vance, standing in the produce section, studying a display of apples.
She doesn’t see me.
I grab Sophie’s hand and pull her into the cereal aisle.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Sophie asks.
“Nothing, baby.
We’re just…
we’re just getting cereal.”
Sophie frowns.
“But I don’t want cereal.
I want…”
“Shh.” I peek around the corner.
Eleanor is still there, but she’s on her phone now, talking to someone.
I can’t hear what she’s saying, but I can see her smile.
I grab a box of Cheerios and hurry to the checkout.
I don’t look back.
That night, I can’t sleep.
I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.
Eleanor Vance’s visit wasn’t a coincidence.
I know it wasn’t.
She came to The Bloom Room for a reason.
She wanted to see me.
But why?
I don’t have answers.
I don’t have anything except a growing sense of dread in the pit of my stomach.
Something is coming.
Something I can’t control.
Hook: My phone buzzes.
I look at the screen.
Unknown number.
I hesitate—then answer.
“Lily?”
I know that voice.
I know it better than my own.
It’s Sarah Albert.