Chapter 10

Eleven Years Ago

A fourteen-year-old Leo snuck a peek at his family’s new chauffeur through the stairs. The previous one had messed with his family and had lost his job as a result. This one was older, taller, and had a shabbily dressed woman standing by his side, probably his wife. There were two children with them. One was a girl. She looked like she was perhaps the same age as Leo. She had freckles on her face and her chin. Her long, light-brown hair complemented her dark skin tone. In her arms was a baby—the other child. Leo couldn’t tell if the baby was male or female. Armano was there as well.

“You’ll be given a large room in the basement,” his father said. “One that can accommodate you and your family.”

The new chauffeur nodded happily.

“You begin work tonight,” his mother said sharply. She had her white cat, Pandora, in her arms.

Leo had always wondered why the servants slept in the basement. He found it harsh and unfair. The mansion had so man