“See that you do,” Nina said, her eyes cold.

Meanwhile, Cecelia’s presence became more unsettling. Millie caught her staring from the hallway, her pale face half-hidden behind the banister. When Millie smiled or waved, Cecelia would disappear without a word.

“Is she always like this?” Millie asked Nina during dinner prep.

“Like what?” Nina replied, her tone dismissive. “She’s just shy.”

The one constant in the house was Andrew Winchester, Nina’s husband. With his calm demeanor and easy charm, he was a welcome contrast to Nina’s volatility. Andrew often greeted Millie with a kind smile and thanked her for her work.

“I hope Nina isn’t being too hard on you,” he said one evening, leaning against the kitchen counter.

Millie hesitated. “She has high standards, but I’m managing.”

Andrew nodded. “Good. You’re doing a great job.”

For a moment, Millie felt at ease. But when she turned to put away a dish, she caught Nina watching from the doorway, her eyes burning with something Millie couldn’t quite name.