The silence in the house was heavier than usual.

Adrian had left early for a board meeting, but not before kissing me twice, not before telling me again that we were safe.

But I wasn’t sure anymore.

Not after the message scrawled on the nursery wall two nights ago in red lipstick.

Not after the photo of Eliora, smirking just outside the property line, holding a sign that read

Still watching.

I walked to the kitchen to pour myself some tea.

The kettle hadn’t even whistled before ...