The house was quiet that morning after Jake left, too quiet, the kind of quiet that didn’t bring peace, only pressure. Pressure from the people inside, from the eyes watching secretly.

Even the sound of my footsteps echoed against the marble like I was walking through a dream that wasn’t mine.

Gold had gone out early that same morning, something about picking up documents for Jake. I told her I was fine. I lied.

I wasn’t fine.

Because ever since Jake left for Milan with Ethan, ...