Chapter 5 - THE BOY IN THE DARK Victoria Astor pushed through the crowd.
Her sapphire gown shimmered beneath the chandelier light.
Her face, however, had lost all color.
"Everyone leave this hallway."
Nobody moved.
Victoria's voice sharpened.
"I said leave."
Anna looked at her.
Something about Victoria's reaction made no sense.
A normal person would have been horrified.
Victoria looked terrified.
"That child doesn't belong here," she said.
Richard had not yet arrived.
The boy heard her voice and immediately pressed himself deeper into the cavity.
Anna turned.
"Who is she?"
The boy whispered:
"Don't let her take me."
Victoria stepped forward.
"Give me the boy."
"No."
Anna surprised herself with how quickly the word came.
Victoria stared at her.
"You're a maid."
Anna stood.
"And you're afraid of a child."
That landed.
Victoria's expression changed.
For one second, the mask disappeared.
Then the crowd parted.
Richard Astor entered the corridor.
He looked toward the wall.
Then at the boy.
The world stopped.
His lips parted.
"Leo?"
Nobody breathed.
May you like
The boy looked up.
And for the first time in six years, Richard saw his son's eyes.
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