Lily’s POV

The lights in the movie room were already low. That soft, dim glow from the big screen painted everything in deep blues and shadows, making the edges of the furniture blur into the dark. The World Cup match was just kicking off, the crowd roaring through the speakers like a living thing, that electric buzz filling the air and vibrating through the floor. Mom and my stepdad Erik were settled in their single chairs up front, eyes glued to the TV like nothing else in the world mattered. Erik had his usual beer in one hand, legs stretched out in front of him, looking relaxed in his gray...