Chapter 14
Maximilian changed the mansion rules.
Not decorative rules.
Power rules.
No romantic partner could issue employment or security instructions without independent verification.
Child-care decisions required written authorization.
Staff could report concerns through an outside service.
Security could intervene in family disputes involving a child without waiting for Maximilian’s approval.
Nora Price read the new protocol.
“You know what everyone is going to say.”
“That I’m paranoid?”
“That your house now has more compliance procedures than a hospital.”
Maximilian shrugged.
“Good.”
Nora smiled.
There was one more change.
Maximilian removed family access to the private archive.
Historical materials went to outside counsel permanently.
Nothing important remained in a hidden cabinet where the next ambitious person could steal it.
The old Rourke instinct was to keep dangerous history close.
Maximilian decided dangerous history belonged with people paid to preserve it correctly.
Anouk started school normally again.
No security spectacle inside the classroom.
No adults introducing her as “Rourke.”
To her classmates, she was the girl who drew horses badly and brought too many grapes in her lunchbox.
Maximilian preferred that.
One afternoon she brought home an assignment.
Draw your family.
Maximilian’s drawing had shoulders wide enough to occupy half the paper.
Anouk stood beside him.
There was a teddy bear.
No Seraphina.
Maximilian looked at it.
“Why am I so big?”
“You’re scary.”
He stared.
Anouk immediately laughed.
“Not to me.”
His chest tightened.
Then she added:
“Sometimes.”
The honesty mattered.
Maximilian crouched beside her.
“When?”
“When you leave.”
That was harder to hear than any accusation in court.
He nodded.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“I’m trying.”
Anouk seemed satisfied.
She took the picture back.
May you like
Trust, he was learning, did not return because a villain went to prison.
It returned in tiny repetitions nobody applauded.
