Chapter 3:

The Confrontation

The next morning started deceptively normal. Sunlight filtered through the old lace curtains in my childhood bedroom, and the smell of coffee and bacon drifted up from the kitchen. I stretched under the covers, trying to shake off the restless night. Jake’s strange behavior lingered in my thoughts like a half remembered dream, but I pushed it aside. Today was about family. About keeping my worlds separate.

I dressed in comfortable jeans and a loose sweater that covered any lingering marks from recent shoots, then headed downstairs. Mom and Dad were already at the table, chatting about neighborhood gossip. Jake was at the counter, pouring coffee....