ou seem too chill. But she couldn't look rattled either. That just wasn't her style. Plus, Renata Marchetti-her mother-noticed everything, especially when Selene

ning how to control men twice her age, and here she was, trying t

ownstairs. Each step felt... strange. This wasn't really her home anymore. Ever since she mar

r a second, it stopped her right there in the hallway. That old, familiar

ng through letters. Lucia-sixteen, all elbows and wild

ading. "I was beginning to think you'

ce actually sounded normal. She sat down. The ch

, croissant in mida

that universal mom-exasperati

the patented little-sister glare.

entirely of

oosing her next words. "Didn't sleep, that's al

cia's comment, but it landed heavier than ex

stayed steady, pulled up that version of herself her mother needed-a lit

uietly, setting her glasses aside. "I know

ly yo

e said, keeping her voice even. "It

a's face, then she masked it. "Damian Voss. Do you k

show it. I know he practically inhales his coffee.

ays," Selene said. "D

esn't sc

en terrified. But she'd already survived him-and loved him, in a way th

ith it," she sa

r mother was reading the truth anyway. She took a casual sip of coffee,

t distracte

a notch lower, leaning in. "You keep loo

dying the chandelier, the fading stain on the ceiling, the c

imes when storms kept her sister awake. "I'm not disappearing

g. "Right. Just remember your sister s

than she planned, and Lucia heard it-maybe not the whol

re Lucia could really start digging. "Eat

er sister rambling about homework, soaking in this quiet, predictable morning she never thought she'd have again. The first time around

d protect them both. From the world.

," Renata said, br

toast, made herself look relaxed. "Ab

, for what it's worth, I know you'll manage. You always have.

umb. The first time, her mother never got to say th

whispered, and

e was missing something important. "Are we gonna talk

ugh, pulled out by Lucia's impatience. "T

Something's different, though. I

he truth to share. Just a little. "Whatever's changed, i

o, grabbing the jam and steering everything back to safer

into the rhythm as a daughter, a sister

he contract. Tomorrow,

tucked inside the safety of this ordinary morning, love