You are a child of the universe,

No less than the trees and the stars;

You have the right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

"Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann

Three years later

Caroline walked up to the palatial mansion, passing through the tall wrought-iron gates. She entered the house, the dust catching beneath her fingertips as she touched a banister leading ...