CHAPTER 659. RED PROMISE. When This Is Over

She was scared, and that was natural. But when Ainara woke up to the silence, it was as if something punched her in the stomach. Morning had to have come long ago—the sunlight was strong—and it was strange that June hadn’t woken up at first light.

Heart in her throat, she got out of bed and rushed to Mauro’s room, where she saw the small bed unmade. Relief flooded her when she read the note left on the kitchen island:

“We went to get breakfast because Mr. Pompita is hungry. Just follow the path to the end.”

She quickly changed into street clothes, threw on a large coat, and stepped outside to find a neat gravel path cutting through the forest ground. Hurrying along, she saw a large, classic property come into view further down the hill—a grand old stone estate with a stately appearance.

The path led her to a back entrance of the house, and soon June’s laughter filled her ears.

“These are the most delicious cookies in the world, Grandma Andre