Rain fell hard that night. Thunder cracked above the manor. Hallways echoed with soft footsteps. A clock chimed midnight downstairs. Candles flickered along the walls. Shadows danced across the portraits. Footsteps stopped by the study. A doorknob turned, hinges groaned. A figure entered, silent, tense. Gloved hands gripped a letter. Moonlight revealed a silver blade. A gasp echoed, sharp and quick. Red stained the Persian rug. The manor was no longer silent. A secret died in darkness.