*Jessica*

When the party started Val was relieved that it wasn’t the loud, chaotic kind with people screaming over music or dancing wildly, but it had a liveliness that made the house feel full. Conversations blended with the faint melody playing from the speakers, and laughter echoed from different corners of the house. People seemed happy to be here, like genuinely happy, she could see it on some of their faces. Some guests stood in small groups, sipping expensive drinks and exchanging ...