She obeyed, setting the rabbit carefully on the side table. But Arthur crossed the room in three long strides and snatched it up, as if the toy might vanish if he waited a moment longer.

For one second his hand trembled. Then he closed his fist around it.

“You do not touch personal objects in this house,” he said.

“I understand,” Maya whispered.

“No, you don’t.” His voice lowered. “You people never understand. You come into this house pretending to respect the rules, pretending you only want work—and then the curiosity takes over.”

Maya kept her eyes steady, refusing to look down in shame. “I wasn’t stealing anything.”