Arianne had already informed the twins about her one-week overseas trip. She had thought that telling them ahead of time would give her and Franz enough room to reassure the children that she would not disappear without a word. Lily seemed to understand it was work-related. Leo opposed the idea of Arianne being gone too long.
Arianne was packing in her room when a knock sounded. She opened the door halfway and found the twins standing in the corridor, their hands clasped. She noticed the redness in Leo's eyes immediately—the skin beneath them slightly swollen, as though he had cried not long ago.
"What is wrong? Why are you still up?" Arianne asked. She did not step aside to let them in. The doorway marked a boundary she had always kept; aside from Aunt Estella, no one entered her room without permission.
"Do you really have to leave?" Lily asked, holding her brother's hand.
"I have to," Arianne replied.
