Chapter 19 - A Mysterious Black Envelope Arrives At The Front Gate
Late on a quiet Friday midnight, the automated security chime on the cottage’s wooden garden gate echoed softly.
Madeline walked down the cobblestone path under the pale glow of the coastal floodlights to inspect the perimeter.
There was no delivery truck or visitor in sight along the dark, winding coastal road bordering the quiet property.
Resting on the stone pillar was a plain black envelope sealed with an unfamiliar crimson wax stamp.
There was no return address or postal mark, only a chilling symbol carved directly into the hardened red wax.
Madeline picked it up with a gloved hand, unlocked the pedestrian gate, and sliced open the seal with her letter opener.
May you like
Inside lay a single photograph of Madeline and Poppy walking outside their local bookstore earlier that afternoon, alongside a handwritten note:
“Preston was just an amateur playing a dangerous game, Madeline... the true mastermind of your estate is still watching from the shadows. We are coming for your daughter next.”
