The estate was supposed to be impenetrable.

That was the story everyone believed.

That was the story Nicolas wanted me to believe.

But even the thickest walls have cracks.

And sometimes, those cracks don’t come from outside.

It started in the gardens. Vanessa was running ahead of me, her tiny hands clutching a red ball one of the guards had given her. I let her go a few steps ahead. She was still within sight, and I had begun to relax in this place, at least during the day.

Then I saw him.

A ...