Chapter 3 Author: Cherryblossom The day Madeline moved in, everything changed. Loud, sudden, and sharp, like a storm tearing through everything I once touched. The first thing she did was to order the maids to redecorate the entire villa. Every wall and every curtain, except my room. She didn't touch that. Maybe out of pity. Or maybe she just didn't care enough. I watched it all happen in silence. The housekeeper, who used to talk down to me like I was a stray, suddenly became her lapdog. His voice was sugar-sweet now. "Yes, Ms. Brooks." "Of course, Ms. Brooks." "I'll handle it right away, Ms. Brooks." And Finn just stood behind her the whole time. Cold. Quiet. Watching. "All of it," he said, nodding once. "Do whatever Madeline wants." That's all. My peaceful morning was shattered, along with whatever little peace I'd tried to keep for myself. When I stepped out of my room and looked over the second-floor railing, I saw them downstairs: Finn, Madeline, the maids, the furniture movers. I didn't say a word. But Finn… he looked up. Met my eyes. And for a moment, I saw something in his stare. Complication. Like I was a problem he didn't want to solve. I held his gaze, expressionless, then turned away. "Madeline!" Henry's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence. He ran up to her like a puppy, tugging at her sleeve. "Can we get rid of this sofa? Jillian picked it out. I always hated it!" Madeline laughed lightly and brushed his hair back. "Of course, sweetheart," she said. "If you don't like it, we'll change it. You get the final say now." I watched as the movers dragged it away.