AMELIA froze, her pen hovering over the keyboard.

“W— what?” she exclaimed, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Again, Adrian. Again.

“I know, I know!” Hazel giggled, spinning around. “It was a surprise! We drew together, laughed, and he even brought me colored pencils! Mom, it was so much fun!”

Amelia’s heart sank, though she tried to mask it with a calm voice.

“Hazel… did he tell you to tell me about this?”

“No!” Hazel shook her head vigorously. “He didn't also say it was a secret. But I wanted to tell you because it was the best day ever!”

Amelia’s eyes narrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. Her chest...