Chapter 15 - A HOME AGAIN Six months passed.
The Astor Estate changed.
The eastern wing was demolished.
The hidden room was destroyed.
In its place, Richard built a garden.
Not a memorial.
A promise.
Leo's health improved slowly.
At first, he hated closed doors.
He woke from nightmares whenever the lights went out.
But every morning, Richard was there.
Every night, he checked the hallway.
And Anna remained close.
She had become more than a maid.
She had become part of the family.
Richard offered her a position managing the estate.
Anna hesitated.
"I don't need a reward."
Richard smiled.
"Then don't call it one."
He looked toward Leo.
"Call it a place to belong."
Anna smiled.
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For the first time, the Astor mansion became what it had never been before.
A home.
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Chapter 16 - THE SWING One summer afternoon, Richard pushed Leo on a mahogany swing beneath the old oak trees.
Chapter 17 - THE SECOND RECORDER Leo reached beneath his mattress.
Chapter 18 - THE MAN OUTSIDE The next morning, Richard received an anonymous envelope.
Chapter 19 - THE FAMILY THAT SURVIVED That evening, Richard gathered Leo and Anna around the dinner table.
Chapter 20 - THE FINAL CLICK Late that night, Richard tucked Leo into bed.
