This chapter, along with a few others, has been heavily revised, but I wanted to preserve some of my old writing to see my own progress and reflect on the story as it continues to evolve and grow. To my fans, I hope you enjoy getting to see its evolution with me.

To Giselle’s relief, everything on the estate was just as she had left it. The guard at the gate waved to them as the carriage circled around to the stairs at the front of the house. No one seemed panicked or hurrie...