Grace POV

The sound of breaking branches freezes me in place.

Someone's here. Someone heard us.

Panic floods my system. Sharp and immediate.

I'm not doing anything wrong. Nothing shameful. Just talking to someone about investigating my father's death and learning about my own heritage.

But the fear is irrational. Overwhelming.

What if someone saw us? What if they tell Ethan?

The thought makes my stomach clench with guilt I shouldn't ...