The guest house that stood within the grounds of Davies Manor looked like a doll's house, because that was precisely how Valeria had had it prepared. It was perfect to be the home they would share, but the illusion of carrying Valeria through the door evaporated when Nick saw Alice sitting on the porch, looking very aloof.

“You didn't tell me he was going to live here, too,” was her greeting, and it was addressed only to her sister. “Is it true that you married him?”

Valeria closed her eyes in frustration and went to sit next to her while Nick remained standing.

“Who told you, baby?”

“I heard it from the girls in the kitchen. Is it true?” Alice insisted.

But before Valeria could answer, Nick interrupted her.

“Troublemaker, do you think I could talk to Alice for a minute?”

The girl looked at him with a frown.

“I don't want to.”

“I know, but I need to tell you important things, and if you don't listen to them you'll always wonder what they were,” Nick replied. “And you don't lik