Kian was looking at her with concern when she jumped at the harsh creak of the emergency parking brake. He undid his seatbelt with a snap and shifted so he could face her. 

“Ready?” he asked after a beat of silence. 

Junie tried to answer but it felt like her throat was closing up. She stared up at the house they had pulled up to with its huge well-kept front lawn and facade made of multi-colored stones. 

She was immediately intimidated. 

“Your parents ...