The moment Evelyn stepped through the door, her breath caught in her throat.
The living room was vast, warm, and breathtaking.
High ceilings arched above with wooden beams, softened by the glow of sunlight pouring through a massive glass window that overlooked the dense woods outside.
The leaves burned in shades of amber and red, a sea of autumn color behind the house, making the world outside look like a painting.
A stone fireplace crackled gently beneath a wide mantel lined with old photographs, medals, and antique trinkets that hinted at generations of history.
Despite its size, the room felt like a place meant to be lived in, not admired from afar. Rich rugs softened the wooden floor, and the furniture carried the timeless elegance of mid-century design: warm leathers, walnut woods, and brass accents that reflected the dancing firelight.
And then…
Her gaze fell on the two elderly people sitting closest to the fireplace.
