Jaxon sneaked quickly into his room before his mum could reach the hallway. My heart was pounding as I listened from behind my door. She didn’t notice anything out of place.

The floor creaked softly, and then I heard her footsteps stop right outside my room. My door handle turned, and the door opened a little. My whole body froze.

She peeped in, her eyes scanning the room. I had already curled myself under the blanket, pretending to be fast asleep. I forced my breathing to sound steady, almost exaggerated, just so it looked real. After a moment, she closed the door without saying a word.

I exhaled slowly, trying...