"Because some people know exactly how to manipulate a grieving man."
Adrian stood.
"Don't accuse her of something without evidence."
"I'm trying to protect you."
"Then start by trusting my judgment."
Victoria turned away.
But before leaving, she said something that made Adrian's blood run cold.
"Your wife trusted the wrong person once. Look where it got her."
Adrian stared at his mother.
"What does that mean?"
Victoria stopped at the doorway.
"Nothing. Forget I said it."
But Adrian couldn't forget.
And neither could Victoria.
Because she knew Emily's arrival at the mansion might awaken a secret that had been buried for nearly twenty-five years.
Emily arrived at the Blackwood mansion on Monday morning.
She had never seen a house so enormous.
Tall iron gates opened automatically as the car approached. Beyond them stood a beautiful mansion surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens, fountains, and rows of white roses.
The building looked more like a royal palace than a family home.
Emily stepped out of the car, clutching her small handbag.
"Welcome, Miss Carter."
A middle-aged housekeeper greeted her.
"I'm Margaret. I'll show you around."
Emily followed her through the entrance.
The marble staircase curved elegantly toward the second floor. Expensive paintings covered the walls, and a massive chandelier hung above the central hall.
Everything was beautiful.
Yet something about the house felt strangely cold.
There were no family photographs in the hallway except portraits of Adrian, Sophia, and Daniel.
Margaret noticed Emily looking.
"Mr. Blackwood hasn't changed much since his wife passed away."
Emily nodded.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Margaret smiled sadly.
"Mrs. Sophia was a wonderful woman. She brought life into this house."
They entered the nursery.
Daniel was lying in his crib, staring at a mobile hanging above him.
The moment he saw Emily, his little legs began moving excitedly.
"Well, look at that," Margaret whispered.
Emily approached the crib.
"Hello, sweetheart."
Daniel immediately reached toward her.
She lifted him carefully, and he rested against her shoulder.
For the first time since arriving, Emily felt genuinely welcome.
The following days passed surprisingly well.
Emily followed the nanny's instructions, helped with feeding, played with Daniel, and learned his sleeping routine.
She never tried to replace his mother.
Instead, she simply became someone he could trust.
Adrian noticed the difference.
Daniel began sleeping longer. He smiled more frequently and started reaching for his toys again.
One evening, Adrian returned from work earlier than usual.
He found Emily sitting on the nursery floor, reading a picture book to Daniel.
She was making funny voices for the animals.
Daniel laughed so loudly that Adrian stopped in the doorway.
It was a sound he had almost forgotten.
Emily looked up.
"Oh, sir. I didn't hear you come in."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"Apparently, neither did Daniel."
The baby laughed again.
Adrian walked closer and sat beside them.
For several minutes, the three remained together.
Then Daniel reached toward his father.
Adrian lifted him, surprised when the baby immediately rested his head against his chest.
"He's changing," Adrian whispered.
Emily nodded.
"He's beginning to feel safe again."
Adrian looked at her.
"How do you know?"
"Because he isn't waiting for something bad to happen every time someone approaches him."
The words stayed with Adrian long after she left.
Later that night, Emily went downstairs to get a glass of water.
As she passed the library, she noticed a photograph lying on a table.
It showed Sophia standing in a garden, smiling.
Emily stopped.
Something about the woman's face seemed familiar.
She couldn't explain it.
The eyes, the shape of her smile, even the small beauty mark near her cheek.
Emily moved closer.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
She turned.
Victoria stood in the doorway.
"I was just getting some water, ma'am. I saw the photograph."
Victoria took it from her hands.
"Don't touch family belongings."
"I'm sorry."
Victoria studied her face.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-four."
"Where were you born?"
Emily frowned slightly.
"In a small town outside the city."
"And your parents?"
"My mother raised me and my brother."
"Your father?"
"I never knew him."
Victoria's expression changed.
"What's your mother's name?"
"Margaret Carter."
The photograph nearly slipped from Victoria's fingers.
Emily noticed.
"Are you all right, ma'am?"
Victoria forced a smile.
"Yes. I'm fine."
But she was not fine.
She remembered a young woman named Margaret.
A woman who had worked in the Blackwood household decades earlier.
A woman who had disappeared after being accused of stealing something valuable.
And now her daughter was standing inside the same mansion.
Victoria quickly put the photograph away.
"You should return to your room."
Emily nodded and walked away.
But Victoria remained frozen.
The next morning, she made a phone call.
"Find out everything about Margaret Carter."
The voice on the other end asked, "What exactly are you looking for?"
Victoria stared at the family portrait.
"Whether she ever had a daughter."
A pause followed.
Then Victoria added in a trembling voice:
"And whether that daughter is the same girl living in my house."
Emily had been working at the mansion for almost two weeks when Adrian made another unexpected announcement.
He wanted her to move into the estate permanently.
"Your current apartment is quite far from here," he explained during breakfast. "The working hours can be unpredictable, especially when Daniel is unwell."
Emily looked up from the baby's feeding schedule.
"I can manage, sir."
"I know you can. But it would be easier if you had a room here."
"I don't want to inconvenience anyone."
"You're not inconveniencing anyone."
Before Emily could answer, Victoria entered the dining room.
"Actually, I disagree."
Adrian sighed.
"Mother."
Victoria took her seat.
"The staff quarters are already full. We don't need another person living here."
Emily immediately lowered her eyes.
"I understand. I can continue commuting."
Adrian shook his head.
"There's an empty guest suite near the nursery."
Victoria looked at him sharply.
"That room belonged to Sophia's sister."
"She hasn't visited in years."
"That doesn't mean we should give it to an employee."
The atmosphere became uncomfortable.
Emily slowly stood.
"Perhaps I should leave you both to breakfast."
Adrian gestured for her to remain.