The “Impossible House” was suffocating. Sophie Laurent-Croft sat in the master bedroom of the Main House, tracing the rim of her untouched wedding ring. Down the hall, William was pacing in his study. He hadn’t spoken to her in six hours.
She picked up her phone. She didn’t text her husband; she texted Dr. Lucas Hale.
*It’s worse than I thought. We are prisoners here.*
The reply came instantly. *Say the word, Sophie. I’m still here.*
Sophie looked out the window toward the Guest House. She saw William standing on the terrace below, staring at the same building. She realized with a heartbreaking clarity that she was now the neglected wife competing with a ghost. She placed the phone face down, maintaining her dignity, but her heart was already halfway out the door.