Morning light flickered through the bedroom windows, waking Runa from her restless sleep. She glanced at the bedside clock, grimacing when she saw it was only six. Chase stirred beside her as his alarm began to buzz. He rolled out of bed, turned it off, and stalked across the room toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Runa heard the shower running as she lay in bed pondering what she should say. They hadn’t spoken since their argument the night before, when he’d told her she needed to talk to a therapist. Part of her thought she should just drop the subject, pretend it hadn’t happened, and move on. The other part refused to sweep it under the rug. If they had any hope of getting past it, they should meet it head-on.
After several minutes, Chase emerged from the steam-filled bathroom, his towel slung haphazardly around his hips. Pain and longing flashed in Runa’s belly. She was drawn to him like a magnet, and she wanted him desperately. She wished they could be happy, but it seemed they were too out of sync to find any common ground. Had everyone been right? Had she jumped headfirst into a rocky marriage? She thought Chase was different, but now she questioned everything.
She waited a few moments while he rummaged through his closet for clothes. After a short time, he emerged, fully dressed.
“Chase, can I talk to you?” Runa sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard and pulling the thick blankets to her chest.
“About what?”
The tone of his voice made it clear that he was upset. If she hadn’t felt so strongly about their need to talk, she would have kept her mouth shut. Instead she pressed on.
“I want to talk about what I’ve seen since coming to Everwine Manor. What I’ve heard.”
“Are you going to start in on that again?” Anger flashed in his eyes.
“Yes, Chase, I am. And I don’t understand why everything I say has to turn into an argument.”
“Because you’re talking like a crazy woman, Runa,” he retorted. “How do you expect me to react?”
“You keep saying that, yet you won’t even listen to what I’m trying to tell you.”
“I’ve been listening. I’ve heard you spin your tales about creaking floors and phantom footsteps on staircases. You even seem to believe my parents are trying to harm you.”
“Because it’s all true!” Runa insisted.
“It isn’t!” Chase hurled back.
“It’s all true, Chase. And there’s more. Last night I saw a light in the turret on the third floor. You told me no one goes up there. You said it’s not safe.”
“What do you want from me?” Chase exploded. “I’ve given you everything a woman could possibly want, and you’re still not satisfied.”
“Chase—”
“Just leave things alone!” he roared.
Taken aback by Chase’s anger, Runa was rendered speechless. She stared at him as he stomped back and forth across their bedroom floor, his face red and contorted with rage. He was barely recognizable.
“If you would just listen—”
“I’m through listening. Something is wrong with you. Go get some help and leave me alone!”
Without another word, Chase grabbed his phone and wallet before storming from the room, slamming the door behind him.
Runa sat in shocked silence, tears pouring down her face. In less than ten minutes, her life had gone from bad to worse.
Instinctively, she reached for her phone and dialed Tawney’s number, heedless of the fact that it was still so early. Tawney picked up on the first ring, as if she’d been waiting for the call.
“What is it, sweetie?” Her calm voice cut straight through the phone line.
“It’s everything.” Runa sobbed. “I need to see you.”
“Of course. I’ll come to you if that works,” Tawney suggested.
“Okay. No one is here but me and the staff.”
“Perfect. I’ll be there in an hour.”
Runa hung up the phone and cried, her body shaking with sobs she couldn’t control. Her life was falling apart.
“I need answers, and I just keep getting more questions. I need to know what’s going on.”
As she spoke the words aloud, an image popped into her head. It was clear and exact, leaving no question about what she must do.
Rising from her bed, she walked across the room, went into the closet, and opened her drawer. Rifling through her socks, she dug all the way to the bottom. There it was, hidden from view but never from her thoughts.
Grabbing the photograph of the woman with Chase, Runa marveled once again at their similarities. The happy smile on Chase’s face was like a knife to her heart. It pained her to admit that she’d never seen him that happy. He’d never looked at her the way he did at that woman.
Returning to her room, she placed the photograph on the table. Then she dug through her purse where she’d hidden the paper with the strange phrase. Sighing, she placed it on the table next to the picture. It was time for answers.
She went into the bathroom and quickly secured her hair in a bun, brushed her teeth, and pulled on some clothes. She barely gave herself a second glance. Nothing mattered except getting to the truth.
She grabbed her phone and sent Emily a quick text explaining she was closing the shop for the day because she didn’t feel well. It wasn’t even a lie. The queasiness in the pit of her stomach made her feel as if she were going to vomit.
Heading downstairs, Runa paced in the entryway as she waited for Tawney.
Prompt as always, Tawney parked in the circular driveway. Opening the front door, Runa burst into tears as soon as she saw her. Tawney hugged her tightly, whispering that everything was going to be all right. After wiping her face with a tissue, Runa led Tawney upstairs to her room.
Closing the door behind them, Runa offered Tawney a seat at the table. She sat in the chair opposite. Unable to manage small talk, Runa cut directly to the heart of the matter, shoving the photograph of the woman across the table toward Tawney.
“Do you know who that woman is with Chase?”
Gazing intently at the photograph, Tawney studied it for several moments. Her brow furrowed, but then a look of recognition spread across her face.
“Yes, that’s Chase’s first wife.”
Runa felt like the rug had been pulled from beneath her. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t guessed that the woman was Chase’s wife, but the confirmation felt cruel and surreal.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m certain. I saw them around town together all the time back then. They were always on the news for something or other. Her name was Freya.”
“Freya….”
Runa wasn’t sure why the woman’s name sparked something in the back of her mind, but hearing it felt like a gut punch.
“It’s been under my nose all this time and I didn’t even see. I can’t believe I never noticed it until right this moment,” Tawney said.
“Noticed what?”
“The fact that Freya looks so much like you. If it weren’t for her pixie cut, she could be you. It’s disconcerting, and I’m frustrated with myself for not seeing it sooner.”
“I don’t understand any of this, Tawney. Is that why he married me? Because I look like her?”
“I don’t know, sweetie.”
Tears rolled down Runa’s cheeks as she pondered her situation. It hurt her heart to consider that Chase may have married her simply because she resembled his first wife, but she couldn’t deny that it made sense. She’d been told that he’d never gotten over his wife’s disappearance. Maybe she was simply a look-alike replacement.
“There’s something else I want to show you,” Runa said as she slid the paper across the table.
Tawney picked up the paper and looked at the scrawled handwriting spelling out the strange phrase.
“What is this, Runa?”
“I don’t know exactly,” Runa hedged. “I found it somewhere.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Do you know what language that is?”
“Yes I do. It’s Norwegian.”
“Norwegian? How do you know that?”
“I learned the language from my grandmother. That’s part of what drew me and your mother together when we were kids, our shared Norwegian roots,” Tawney explained.
“I had no idea we were Norwegian. Mom never talked about where our family came from.”
“I don’t think she knows much. Your grandmother was pretty tight-lipped. She rarely talked to your mother about anything. Asta knew she had Norwegian roots, though.”
“You said you learned the language from your grandmother. Do you have any idea what those words mean?” Runa’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure Tawney could hear it.
“Where did you get this, Runa?” Tawney held up the paper and frowned.
“I told you, I found it. Do you know what the words mean? Please, Tawney, I need to know,” Runa begged.
“Yes, I know what it means. It says, ‘You are in danger.’”
Runa’s eyes widened. “You’re sure that’s what it says?”
“I’m positive. It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for months,” Tawney explained.
“I know, Tawney. And I know you and Mom are worried. But please don’t tell her any of this. I don’t want to freak her out any more than she already is.”
“I won’t tell her, but you should,” Tawney admonished.
Runa sighed. “Maybe you’re right. Things aren’t so great here right now.” An idea popped into her head. “I think I’ll take a trip to Portland. A bit of space might give me some perspective.”
“Your mom would love to see you. You should surprise her,” Tawney encouraged.
“I think I will. I’ll leave today. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me.”
Runa rose from her chair and Tawney followed suit. Runa hugged her tightly, grateful that she’d become such a source of comfort.
“Go spend time with your mom. It’ll do you both some good.”
Tawney kissed Runa on the cheek. Runa walked her to the front door before returning to her room. Grabbing her suitcase from the closet, she packed enough clothes and toiletries to get her through a few days. She had no idea how long she’d be gone, but she wanted to be prepared.
She hated the way things were with Chase, but she needed some space. She’d actually been afraid of him that morning. He’d been so angry. The way he screamed at her made her wonder what else he was capable of.
Not wanting another confrontation, she grabbed a sheet of paper and scribbled a note, telling him she was going to visit her mother and didn’t know when she’d be back. Then she texted Emily and let her know the shop would remain closed for a few days.
When her bag was packed, she dragged it out into the hallway without a second glance at what she was leaving behind. As much as it pained her, she had to get away if she wanted to maintain even a shred of her sanity.
As she approached the staircase, she felt a sudden compulsion to visit the west wing. She knew she should ignore it but couldn’t quiet the voice in her head searching for answers.
Leaving her suitcase at the top of the stairs, she crept down the hallway, around the corridors, and into the west wing. As she passed the doorway leading to Easton and Camille’s room, she stopped abruptly. Her heart leaped inside her chest when she heard Camille’s shrill voice from inside the room.
Apparently Chase hadn’t bothered to tell her that his parents were back. Runa had believed she was alone. That meant Easton and Camille had been in the house for the entirety of Tawney’s visit. Had they seen her break down on the front steps? Had they heard the things she’d said to Tawney? Did they hear Chase scream at her and storm out of the house?
She was about to turn and run from the west wing when the door to the Everwines’ bedroom opened. Not wanting a confrontation with Camille, she sprinted down the hall and ducked inside the entryway to the third floor. The ancient door creaked on its hinges as it opened. She prayed Camille didn’t hear.
Plastering herself against the shabbily papered wall, Runa tried to slow her breathing. She listened for sounds in the hallway, calming a bit when she heard Camille’s voice begin to fade away, indicating her departure.
She waited a few minutes to make sure Camille didn’t return, then decided it was time to grab her suitcase and get out of there. Knowing the Everwines were back made her want to leave Everwine Manor even more.
Just as she was about to turn the knob and open the door, she heard the creaking of floorboards above her head. The unmistakable sound of a door closing above the staircase reverberated in her ears, spurring her into action.
Runa scurried behind the stairwell in order to remain hidden. She crouched in the darkness, listening as heavy footsteps pressed on the groaning stairway above her head. She peeked from her hiding place, her eyes widening as Easton descended the stairs. He opened and shut the door quickly, leaving her behind as he returned to the hallway.
A million thoughts raced through her head. She remembered the sounds she’d heard before, the light she’d seen in the turret the previous night. Why did everyone keep saying no one went up to the third floor when that clearly wasn’t the truth?
Ignoring the warning bells inside her mind, Runa decided she was going upstairs. Pausing at the bottom of the rickety staircase, she reminded herself that if the structure was strong enough to support Easton’s weight, it could support hers. Before she second-guessed herself, she sprinted up the stairs.
Chase was correct when he said the third floor was immense. At the top of the stairway, one giant landing area led to five different hallways. Not sure where to begin, Runa stared down each one. It was dark, so much so that she could barely see her hand in front of her face. The shades were drawn over all of the windows in the landing area, so little outdoor light filtered through.
All at once she spotted a faint light peeking from beneath a door down one of the long hallways. As she walked toward it, Runa’s heart pounded. Once she reached it, she tried to turn the doorknob but discovered it was locked. Rattling the knob, she tried to pry it open, to no avail. Placing her ear against the splintered wooden door, she waited quietly, listening intently. The hairs on the back of her arms stood on end as the sound of hushed voices floated through the door. Then she heard a child crying.
Spooked beyond reason, Runa ran from the third floor, down the rickety staircase, through the entryway, and out of the west wing. Grabbing her suitcase, she scurried down the stairs and out the front door. Sprinting to her car, she jumped inside, placed the key in the ignition, and sped out of the circular driveway and down the winding road leading away from the estate.
As she drove, she tried not to hyperventilate. She had no idea what was happening to her, but she had to get as far away from Everwine Manor as she could. Each moment she stayed caused her sanity to slip a bit further from her grasp.
Were the voices real? Had she actually heard a child crying on the third floor? What was Easton doing up there?
Maybe Everwine Manor was haunted.
Or maybe Chase was right and she was losing her mind.