Chapter 3 - THE BILLIONAIRE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS
Elliot Harcourt was waiting when Nora arrived.
His father's estate stood north of Chicago, surrounded by trees and old stone walls.
The house was enormous.
But unlike the modern towers Elliot owned downtown, this place looked almost painfully old-fashioned.
A house filled with memories.
Elliot met her in the entrance hall.
He wore a dark sweater and tailored trousers.
Without his suit, he looked less like the ruthless executive from business magazines.
And more like a tired man who hadn't slept.
“Miss Bellamy.”
“Nora is fine.”
He nodded.
“Elliot.”
She glanced around.
“How is your father?”
“Better.”
He hesitated.
“He keeps asking for you.”
Nora swallowed.
“Does he remember what happened?”
“Some of it.”
They walked toward a library.
Elliot opened the door.
Henry sat beside a fireplace, wrapped in a gray cardigan.
When he saw Nora, his face changed.
“Little bird.”
Nora stopped.
Her grandmother had called her that.
She crossed the room.
“Hello, Henry.”
He reached for her hand.
She took it.
Elliot watched silently.
Henry studied Nora's face.
“You have Amelia's eyes.”
Nora smiled sadly.
“People used to say that.”
Henry nodded.
“She was always the brave one.”
His voice trembled.
“I wasn't.”
Nora sat beside him.
“Will you tell me about her?”
Henry looked toward the fire.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, “We were children when the war reached Valdorne.”
Elliot moved closer.
“Dad?”
Henry continued.
“Our mother hid us beneath a stone bridge.”
His hands trembled.
“She told me to keep Amelia quiet.”
Nora leaned forward.
“What happened?”
May you like
Henry closed his eyes.
“The soldiers found us.”
