~ELENA~

The house is quieter than usual.

Not empty—just hushed, like it’s holding its breath.

Gianna and Valentina are downstairs, laughing softly over something stupid on their phones, giving me space without saying they are.

I linger in the hallway, barefoot, heart thudding for reasons I don’t want to admit out loud.

I miss being touched by my stepbrothers. We have been so busy lately that we don't even have time to think about sinful thoughts like that.

Now, I'm just lingering at the hallway hoping I'll see my stepbrothers and they'll figure out I want to be touched without me saying it.

I feel him before I see him....