r 6: A

she'd read for the third day in a row. The book was supposed to be thrilling - murder, secrets, myster

book flat against her la

k-to

her head like a warning

th

OMI

s a burst of energy came fl

ch

ndstorm - loud, dramatic, and so

the couch and plopped down beside her. "You've been

melt away. "Welcome to House Everhart. Would you li

g silently, but I still want a g

brow. "There

d. "Then why

and for a moment, i

d her knees up on the couch. "Okay, s

d. "Wait, Da

on-the-beach, vows-that-made-everyone-

thought he moved o

appened?" Rachel huffed. "Ugh, I swear, I hate cheaters. Th

ightly, her hear

ate

it differe

ted - so sure, so furious. For the first time, a chil

n capable

ound she walked on. But then... Why the letter

hed in her mind again - To the

g something.

his plant seeds of doubt? Was she actually wondering

ntil she waved a hand in front of her

uh

ou didn't even laugh when I said I almost

k chuckle, but Rach

'just tired' I'll throw t

t-" she paused, glancing around the room like the walls might be listening.

ised a single brow and sat up straighter. "Define big. Like he bough

saying anything had been a mistake. But

e began cautiously. "I foun

s eyes

ed quickly. "I was just looking for

t in her chest was too heavy. "It

tened. "A love

ce dropping. "It wasn't sweet. It w

ed in. "Def

that makes your stomach drop. The kind of thing you don'

draining from her expression. "

i no

know you

n't tol

you're sitting on a possibly explosive let

lse to do, Rach. What if it's nothing? What if I'

t, studying her f

nally. "But you also don't have

silence fo

e - not just concern, but

mi said. "

h. Yeah, I just... w

stood abruptly. "Let me grab us s

ded slowl

ght up. I swear, if your husband stocked the frid

laugh, but it didn't

r the kitchen. But the mome

.. N

ensed.

ter now. "There's... th

owned. "

e Naomi had never seen before. One that hadn't been there

d at the edges. Naomi's breath

m were Damien's parents.

il

een them like

tire body

what the hell is your mom doing