After the dinner plates were cleared away, the atmosphere in the Carter family’s dining room shifted. The rich scent of roasted meat and fine wine faded, replaced by the faint perfume of polished wood and the lingering chatter of relatives. The maids moved swiftly and quietly, collecting dishes, glasses, and silverware before disappearing toward the kitchen.

Elias rose first and offered his hand to Maya, guiding her out of the dining room. They followed the rest of the family into the expansive family living room—a space almost too grand to feel warm. The tall windows framed the garden outside, the velvet curtains pulled halfway back, allowing the moonlight to filter...