ALIANA

The house is too quiet.

King is asleep, sprawled diagonally across his bed like he fought sleep and lost badly. One sock missing. Toy dinosaur clutched like a weapon. I stood in his doorway longer than necessary just to remind myself that at least one thing in my life still sleeps easy.

I go to our room and kick off my heels. They skid across the floor like they’re as tired of today as I am.

Vanessa is dead.

Michael proposed.

I said no.

Again.

My phone buzzes on the counter.

Jenna: We’re coming over.

I don’t reply.

Evera: Don’t pretend you didn’t see that.

I sigh.

Lily: We’ll...