the house for the next few days felt like a special kind of torture. She moved through the rooms like a ghost, the air crackling with a tension only she

. She was developing what she knew would be her last set of photos taken in this house.

illing unwanted light int

errupting?" She stepped inside, letting the door swing shut behind he

said flatly, not looking up fro

clenched. "You' re very good. You really capture him." She paused, her voice taking on a sharp

in the dim red light. "He' s been my best friend m

ed the photos back down, but her hand lingered on one, her perfectly manicured nail tracing a light scratch across Dani

anger, hot and sharp. "

stand your place, Eleanor. You' ve had him to yourself for a long time, but th

leanor' s breath. "Get out," s

o him, you' re just the quiet, sensitive little sister who' s having a hard time adjusting. And I..."

er ground. "I

ing far worse. Her expression crumpled into one of terror. She let out a small, frightened gasp and

. A full-throated,

-duty cutting tool from the workbench and dragged its blunt edge across her

ushed in, his face a mask of pa

face. He saw the spilled chemicals and the cutting tool lying near Ele

he demanded, his vo

her mind reeling. "She did

ted to be friends. But she got so angry. She said I was taking you away from her. She... she pushed me, a

eanor' s genuine shock, and he made his choice. His expre

h betrayal. He knelt and gently helped Sarah to her feet,

heavily against him. "I' m just scared

creeping into her voice. The world felt like it was tilting on its axis. This was Daniel, the boy w

or," he said, his voice like ice. "She' s my fiancée. She'

nor shot back, the injustice

" he said quietly, the w

rm protectively around her, whispering

adn't just tilted, it had shattered. The foundation of her life, her unwavering faith

arity. Her plan to leave for Europe wasn't just a good

dding photographer, a job Daniel had helped her get. She typed out a short, professional resignation email.

confused. "Eleanor? Is everyth

o pursue some opportunities abroad," s

is about that program Professor Dav

she lie

proud of you. He was alway

ne. "Yes," she said again, the wor

had been looking forward to it, a chance to dress up and feel like a normal person for a night. Now, the thought of go

ind of handsome she had always dreamed of having by her side. The sight of him, so oblivious to the chasm that had opened