Chapter 49: Anastasia

The school bell rings at 3:15 PM, and the double doors of St. Jude Academy open to a flood of children. I stand by the brick pillar of the courtyard, my car keys gripped tightly in my palm. Luna appears near the front of the line, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders, her hand locked in Leo’s.

Emmet is already waiting by the edge of the asphalt. He stands with his boots planted on the curb, his hands hooked into the pockets of his dark canvas jacket. When he sees Luna and Leo break from the line, his jaw relaxes.

"We're going to the big house today?"...