Chapter 3

Morning arrived, and as I packed, a sudden realization jolted me. The sketchbook my grandmother had left me was still at Andrew's place.

It was a precious volume, filled with her drawings of me from childhood onward, each page a captured moment of love from her eyes.

It was the only thing she left me.

I hurried back, using my old key. The moment the door opened, a blast of festive confetti hit my face.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Vivian!"

"Wait, who's at the door? The delivery guy?"

A woman with long, manicured nails reached out and roughly swiped the colorful…