Chapter 9 - THE NURSERY
One year later, Eleanor finally opened the nursery.
For twenty-five years, it had remained untouched.
The crib.
The music box.
The faded rabbit.
The room had been a monument to grief.
Now it became something else.
A room for both daughters.
Photographs of Chloe.
Photographs of Maya.
A framed letter from Sarah.
The silver music box.
And two small wooden plaques.
CHLOE
MAYA
Eleanor stood between them.
“I should have changed this room years ago.”
Maya smiled.
“You were grieving.”
“I still was.”
Chloe touched the music box.
“I remember this.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You used to ask me why I never opened this room.”
“What did you tell me?”
“That it was private.”
Chloe smiled sadly.
“You were protecting yourself.”
“Yes.”
“From knowing.”
Eleanor nodded.
Maya looked at the crib.
“I wish Sarah could see this.”
“So do I.”
“She saved me.”
“She saved us all.”
Eleanor turned the music box.
The old lullaby began.
May you like
For the first time in twenty-five years, the room didn't sound haunted.
It sounded full.
