The front doors burst open before I could even reach them. A woman emerged, her perfectly manicured hands pressed to her chest in theatrical concern. She was smaller than I'd imagined, more fragile looking, but there was steel in her brown eyes.

"Fiona! Oh, sweetheart, you're finally home!" Her voice dripped with honey, but I could taste the poison underneath. She rushed toward me, arms outstretched like we were long-lost family.

I stepped back sharply. "Where is my father?"

Her smile faltered before she recovered, gesturing toward the house. "He's in the living room, dear. He's been so worried about you."

I brushed past her, my heels clicking against marble...