FORTY-TWO.

I silently followed Kara out to the garden as Ace asked, drinking in my surroundings along the way and marvelling at the beauty that was being presented in front of me.

I can tell the Taurine family take pride in their home, and Mrs. Taurine must spend a lot of time in the garden.

As I gaze ahead, I see a woman on her hands and knees, diligently sifting through the soil with gloved hands. She wears a large hat that partially obscures her face.

In my mind, I envision myself in her position, surrounded by a joyful scene of children frolicking in the yard, playfully chasing a dog.

I can envision Ace standing by the fence, skilfully flipping large steaks on the grill while holding a beer in one hand.

As he watches our children play, a proud and fatherly expression graces his handsome face.

“Mrs. Taurine, this is Aces’… um, guest he brought along with him and asked me to bring her to you,” Kara says in a formal tone, but I can still hear a tinge of venom contaminating her voice.

And jus