I barely slept.

Amelia’s hurt, betrayed eyes kept flashing behind mine. Gregory’s kiss lingered like a brand on my lips. Everything churned until breathing felt impossible.

I’d braced for Chloe to burst into the kitchen, screaming about betrayal. She never came.

Later, I found Lily carefully folding her tiny dresses. We packed together in heavy silence. Before dawn, I slipped to Amelia’s door, desperate to explain. She lay curled under the covers, breathing soft and even. I couldn’t wake her. Not for another lie.

Morning light filtered thin and gray through the tall windows.

I carried our bags down the sweeping staircase, Lily’s small hand warm in mine. The house...