“I’ll just go drop this upstairs and then I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Raina said politely, offering Margaret a small smile before she turned and made her way up the staircase, each step feeling heavier than the last.

As she walked, a flurry of uneasy thoughts crowded her mind. This was the second time Aaron’s mother had specifically requested to speak with her, and Raina hadn’t forgotten how uncomfortable the first conversation had been. It wasn’t just the cold tone or the dismissive words—there was something deeply unsettling about being under Margaret’s scrutiny. Why did she want to talk again? Was it because Raina had dared to ask...