The last light of day faded, leaving behind an aftertaste.

Soft. Bitter. Lingering longer than it should have.

By the time I reached home, Mom was already asleep. My shoes ached from the weight of everything I’d had to pretend. The echo of Serena’s laughter still clung to me — too bright, too hollow — while Julian’s voice replayed in fragments I didn’t want to hear.

Apologies. Promises. Lies.

The day had been one long performance, and every actor deserved an award.

Serena, for ...