Chapter 4

I stood before the Victorian house one last time, my fingers wrapped around the ornate iron gate that had welcomed me countless times as a child. The morning light cast long shadows across the wraparound porch, highlighting the intricate woodwork my grandmother had lovingly maintained for decades.

The key felt heavy in my palm as I unlocked the front door. Inside, dust motes danced in the sunbeams streaming through the tall windows, and the familiar scent of lavender and old wood enveloped me like a gentle embrace. My footsteps echoed through the empty rooms, each sound a reminder of how…