[Reid Mansion—Late Afternoon]
The iron gates of the Reid mansion opened slowly.
The house had not changed.
The same long driveway, the same manicured hedges, the same heavy silence that once swallowed her whole.
Pauline stepped out of the car alone.
The butler froze the moment he saw her.
For half a second, he simply stared then instinct took over.
"Madam Reid," he said, bowing deeply.
Not Mrs. Reid, not a polite courtesy.
Madam.
Behind him, two older staff members straightened immediately, recognition flickering across their faces. People who had been here twenty years ago. People who remembered.
"Welcome home," one of them said softly.
Pauline inclined her head in acknowledgment, her expression calm but unreadable.
"I am here to make arrangements," she said evenly. "Evelyn Carter will be staying here after the wedding."
The butler nodded without hesitation. "Of course. We will prepare the east wing."
Pauline paused.
