Chapter 2 — The Secret Behind the Locked Door
Over the following week, Leo changed.
The screaming became shorter.
The hitting stopped.
He laughed.
Just once.
Then twice.
The sound startled the entire household.
No one could remember hearing it before.
Everyone seemed relieved.
Except Margaret.
Every improvement on Leo's face made hers grow paler.
One rainy afternoon, Cameron chased Leo down a hallway after he giggled and disappeared through a half-open door.
It was the only room she had never been allowed to enter.
Leo slipped inside.
Before Cameron could stop him...
She saw it.
Dust-covered toys.
A rocking chair.
Tiny baby blankets folded neatly.
Family photographs.
One picture had been turned face down.
She picked it up.
It showed Matteo.
A beautiful young woman.
And baby Leo.
Written on the back were five words.
"Our last day together. — Sofia."
Footsteps thundered behind her.
Margaret snatched the photograph away.
"You were told never to enter this room!"
Cameron stared at her.
"Who is Sofia?"
Margaret's face lost all color.
"She's dead."
Before Cameron could ask another question, Matteo appeared.
He looked from Cameron...
to the photograph...
to Margaret.
Then, in a voice colder than ice, he asked,
May you like
"What aren't you telling me?"
Margaret's silence answered everything.
