Three days passed.
No more messages came.
No black cars appeared.
No one came to the house.
Emily began to relax.
Then, on Friday afternoon, she found a small package on the porch.
Inside was a stuffed rabbit for Noah.
There was no note.
Emily carried it inside.
Margaret saw it.
Her face tightened.
“Where did you get that?”
“It was outside.”
“We’re not keeping it.”
“But Mom—”
“No.”
Emily reluctantly put it down.
That night, someone knocked.
Margaret froze.
She looked through the peephole.
A tall man in a black coat stood outside.
Not Lorenzo.
Marco.
Margaret didn’t open the door.
“Who are you?”
“Marco Bellini.”
“I told you we don’t need anything.”
“I know.”
“Then leave.”
“I will.”
He reached into his coat and placed an envelope on the porch.
“Your landlord filed a notice this morning.”
Margaret’s heart stopped.
“What?”
“You’re three months behind.”
