Chapter 4

The doorknob felt cold under my palm as I pushed it open, the soft click of the latch releasing a tension I hadn't realized I was holding. I stepped into the living room, my heels sinking into the plush carpet, and immediately caught Charlotte's eye.

She was perched on the arm of the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, her designer heels glinting in the dim light. Her gaze sharpened as she took in my return, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. "If it isn't little Lily, back from her…