Did you kill them?

Hazel did as Lily instructed, walking slowly to her room, a growing sense of unease gnawing at her. The silence of the house felt stifling, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was being hidden from her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside, signaling Francisco’s return. She hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the room, hoping to get some answers.

As she descended the stairs, Hazel saw Max waiting at the bottom. He looked up and said, “Ms. Hazel, come to the library.”

Hazel followed Max, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls. When she entered the library, she spotted Francisco flipping through the pages of a book. He looked up with a faint smile as they approached.

“Sorry for the delay,” Francisco said, closing the book and setting it aside.

“I had to handle some urgent work.”

Hazel’s relief was tempered by lingering concern.

“Are we staying here?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yes, but I thought it would be best to brin