Chapter Twenty-one

On Friday, Sonya bakes her first loaf of bread and prepares for Winter’s visit, setting flowers and noticing thoughtful, possibly spectral touches in the guest room. Winter arrives, is charmed by the manor, and tours key rooms, including Johanna’s portrait and Drew’s painting. Music cues from the iPad hint at Clover’s presence.

Over wine and scallops, Sonya discloses the hauntings: Clover’s musical signals, the hidden passage, the visions in the mirror, and violent encounters tied to the grandfather clock. Winter admits she sensed Drew after his death and, believing in an after, accepts the house’s spirits. She promises to stand by Sonya’s determination to claim the home and find the rings.

The weekend passes quietly with welcoming fires and small disturbances but no attacks. Winter teaches Sonya a simple chicken-and-potato dish, then departs on Sunday, reassured by Sonya’s happiness and support network, including Cleo’s impending move and Trey.

Afterward, Sonya and Yoda play fetch outside. A shadow in a window seems to wave; moments later, the Gold Room windows slam open and shut. Identifying the hostile presence as Hester, Sonya pointedly ignores and defies it until the banging ceases. Clover answers with a wry song choice.

Sonya reads, exchanges texts with Trey—who sets a dinner date for Monday—and settles in for a peaceful night. Content and resolute, she ends the day confident in her claim on the manor and her plan to recover the lost rings.