Alice hit the floor hard.
She stared up at the shadowy figure that had suddenly appeared, her eyes wild with terror. Screams tore from her throat. “Ah! Ahhh!” She couldn’t stop, her voice echoing through the room as she scrambled backward, like she’d seen a ghost. All reason vanished from her face.
Wiona and Annette jumped up, alarmed, and rushed to her side.
“Alice!”
Annette dropped down and wrapped her arms around Alice, holding her tight. But Alice just shrieked louder, flailing her hands in every direction, completely out of control.
The servants nearby whispered in panic, their voices trembling. “It’s happening again. She has lost it.”
“She’s… she’s gone mad…”
Wiona spun around, her glare sharp enough to make everyone fall silent. “Be quiet. All of you.” She stepped in front of Alice, putting herself between her and the stranger.
Wiona’s eyes narrowed as she looked up at the man. “Devin, what are you doing?”
“You scared Alice!” she accused, her voice shaking with anger.
The figure finally took off his baseball cap, then tugged down the collar of his coat. Only then did everyone see his face clearly. It really was Devin.
At first, just from his build, everyone thought he might be Conrad come back. But that didn’t make sense. Conrad liked black clothes too, but he never covered his face, and he’d never wear a puffy black down jacket that made him look like a mountain.
Everyone in the Sullivan family knew Alice was terrified of tall men who hid their faces.
Devin scowled, his eyes cold as he stared at Alice crumpled on the floor. There was a mocking edge in his voice. “Take a good look. Am I your brother, or am I your Uncle Devin?”
He crouched down, leaning closer.
Wiona stepped in again, blocking his view.
“Devin, that’s enough. Alice has trouble recognizing people. She’s like a child. Please, don’t mess with her.”
She called out, “Phil! Help Mrs. Sullivan get Alice back to her room!”
Phil nodded once, then swept Alice into his arms and carried her out.
When they were gone, Devin finally looked at Wiona. He stood up slowly, his gaze heavy and direct, sizing her up without hiding his hostility.
“So, you’re Conrad’s wife.”
Wiona held his stare. “What’s your point?”
“You treat me like some kind of monster. Can’t I even talk to my own niece?”

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