Chapter 900

Since Mateo had an urgent schedule to return to the capital, he took Mina and Bryan with him. Before they left, John called their uncle and aunt, arranging for Mina and Bryan to stay with them a few days. He asked them—almost pleaded—to help look after the two troublemakers, as if he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that they were still small children needing shelter. Only after her sister was gone did Jane realize how silent the house felt without Mina’s endless chatter. All the familiar noises—the teasing banter, the giggling arguments, the steady thumping of Mina’s hurried footsteps—vanished like someone had thrown a heavy blanket over the world. The quiet was oppressive. She wandered to the guest room to check on Emma. The girl still lay fast asleep, her breathing steady, her face so pale she almost blended into the white pillow. She looked small in the big bed—smaller than Jane remembered. Seeing her like that, Jane felt a dull ache behind her ribs. Emma wouldn’t wake naturally fo