GINGER:

My heart thumps in my chest as the taxi comes to a halt in front of the house. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car, then slowly make my way to the front door. Just as my hand reaches for the handle, my mother pulls the door open, her brows wrinkled.

"Hey, Ginger's back!" she announces before I can say a word.

I swallow hard as I hear Caspian's voice in the background. My mother shifts to the side, allowing me to step inside while keeping her eyes on me, making it clear ...