4: Abiga

ning each frame to identify the person who had handed him the mysterious letter. Despite replaying segments multiple times, the

k interrupted

ing," Naomi's voi

" he replied, cl

-

nt-the kind where menus had no prices, and the floral arrangements probably had their own stylist.

triking was the fact that th

ught, glancing aroun

eady seated, their faces light

" Genevieve stoo

reeted warmly, hugging h

smile tugging at his us

wn father absent-by choice more than distance-the Everharts ha

ting about recent events, art, and

lightly, "my mom always said, 'Attending events introd

rt woman. If she hadn't nudged you out

oks somewhere, completely unaware of

e said, her voice soft with genuine warm

ed. "She r

ame was Abigail Turner-though she always said it sounded too

was a

ong

-not from Genevieve, not from Charles, and not even f

other in a sea of guests... Damien shoul

st wasn't important

way, forcing a smile as s

the table, her hand warm

t? And if Damien ever gives you trouble-" she shot

e tension easing

squeezing Geneviev

atic sigh. "Wow. Betrayed. In

her more," Naomi

cracked a s

he kind that made Naomi feel like maybe,

t looking f

felt restless. The quietness of the house - the stillness of it - was starting to feel a little too loud. Damien had stepp

est table to steady herself. A small gust of wind crept through the window Damien had cracked open ea

ick it up - just a p

en she

ink near the corner we

tched. She re

and told her was nothing. She hadn't opened it. Hadn't even asked again. But she'd noticed th

hallway. Still empty.

ully, she ope

dwriting was strange. Rushed. Like someone wrote it with too

with blood o

love would bu

ht she'd n

oy. Secrets don't s

est ti

ad it

ag

the couch before her knees gave out. The letter rested in her lap. Her

k-t

out like it had

mory. Familiar. A

riend. Rachel said

omi! We're goi

k, decisi

so clear it gav

It didn't look like anyone she knew. But the word - it did

shown this to he

ope, but she didn't put it down. She held it in her lap

ame a little

nce of the house felt