Mrs. Gray's eyes narrowed the second the door opened.
But it wasn't Lucian.
Old Man Harris stepped out instead, adjusting his glasses as he peered at her with mild confusion. The warm light from inside the room spilled into the hallway, framing his puzzled expression.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
"Huh?… This isn't Lucian's room?" she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to him.
"Is there anything I can do for you, ma'am?" Harris asked politely, though suspicion flickered faintly in his aged eyes.
Mrs. Gray forced a tight smile, one that didn't reach her trembling gaze. "Oh— no, no, no. I simply got lost. I've got to go now."
She didn't wait for his reply. Didn't even allow him the courtesy of confusion. She turned sharply on her heel and walked away faster than dignity allowed.
Only when she rounded the corner did she exhale.
A shaky breath escaped her lips.
'One number off.'
'One small mistake.'
