Victoria made the announcement at breakfast as if it were nothing more than a practical update.

“I’ve hired someone,” she said, spreading butter on her toast. “Part-time housekeeper. Two days a week to start—Wednesdays and Saturdays. The house is too large for us to keep up with properly, and my schedule isn’t getting lighter. Her name is Rosa. She comes highly recommended. She starts this Wednesday.”

Elena’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. Across the table Marcus continued cutting his eggs with the same calm precision he always used when new information entered the house. Only the brief stillness in his hands betrayed that he had registered the shift.

“That’s...