Chapter 1

I was 28 years old and the only child of my parents.

Right before Christmas, I called up my parents and told them work was too crazy, so I couldn't make it home.

On the other end, my dad was quiet for a long moment before finally saying, "Alright, take care of yourself then."

I felt awful, but I still bought a ticket home, planning to surprise them.

Standing at the front door, I didn't announce myself or anything. I gave a gentle knock.

From inside, Dad's voice burst out, super excited. "It must be our little princess. Come on, darling, open the door."

I stood there, stunned.

The door swung open, and when my parents saw me, their smiles suddenly froze.

I stammered, my voice shaking, "Dad, who else could be your little princess?"

Dad looked away, avoiding my eyes, while Mom's eyes turned red, holding back tears.

*****

My name was Jessica Foley, and I was twenty-eight years old.

I worked as a designer at a mid-sized company, stuck in a role that was nothing special, pulling in a paycheck that was nothing to brag about.

I was the only child of my parents.

At least, that was what I always thought, until today.

A week before Christmas, I timed my call to my parents just right.

"Hey, Dad," I said.

Dad's familiar, slightly hoarse voice came through the line. "Oh, Jess."

"Well, I... I probably won't be able to make it home for Christmas Eve," I said, forcing out the lie I'd rehearsed, my heart twisting a little. "Work's too crazy right now, and the client's breathing down my neck. I really can't get away."

There was a long, heavy silence from Dad's end.

It dragged on so much that I could almost hear the faint crackle of static and Dad's strained, quiet breathing.

"Alright." It took him ages to finally get that one word out. "Work is important. Take care of yourself. Don't work yourself too hard."

My nose started to sting, and I quickly said, "I know, Dad. You both take care, too. Once things settle down at work, I'll come back to see you."

After hanging up, I slumped back in my office chair, feeling a heaviness in my chest I couldn't quite put into words.

The truth was, the project was already over.

I lied because I wanted to surprise them.

I could picture it, me showing up at the door, loaded down with gifts like Santa, and my parents' faces lighting up with surprise and a bit of playful scolding.

I'd imagined the lines they'd use to nag me: "You silly girl, why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

Without wasting a second, I pulled up the booking app and snagged the earliest train ticket home for the next morning.

It was a six-hour train ride.

I pressed my forehead to the glass, watching the scenery race by outside. I couldn't wait to get home.

After getting off the train, I hopped on a bus, and by the time I reached town, dusk was settling in.

The streets were decked out with Christmas wreaths everywhere, giving off a full-on Christmas vibe.

I took a deep breath. The air carried that familiar, comforting scent that belonged to home.

Standing at the foot of the familiar building, I looked up. My home was on the third floor.

The orange lights inside spilled out, warm and inviting, like someone was waiting to wrap me in a hug.

I didn't call my parents to tell them I was here. I quietly made my way upstairs, careful not to make a sound.

Standing in front of that familiar brown door, I could hear the TV playing softly inside, and Mom's laughter drifting out.

I tried to keep my excitement in check, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

Then, I raised my hand and knocked three times, gentle and rhythmic.

The sound of the TV and Mom's laughter stopped abruptly.

A beat later, I heard Dad's voice, unable to contain his excitement and surprise, practically shouting. "It has to be our little princess. Come on, honey. Open the door."

I stood there, frozen, like my whole body had locked up.

Did they already know I was coming?

No way. I didn't tell anyone.

Did one of my blabbermouth friends spill the beans?

As my mind was spinning with wild guesses, I heard the lock click, and the door swung open.

Mom was standing there, her face glowing with a radiant, loving smile she couldn't contain.

But the instant she saw it was me at the door, that smile froze, as if an invisible hand had wiped it right off her face.

"J-Jess?" Mom stammered.

The shock and panic in her voice pierced my heart like a needle.

Dad rushed out of the living room, holding a brand-new doll that looked like it cost a fortune. His expression was like Mom's, total excitement one second, then complete shock the next.

And there was something else in his eyes, a mix of awkwardness and uneasy guilt that I couldn't make sense of.

The whole vibe in the house instantly dropped to freezing.

I stared at their stiff expressions, at the doll in Dad's hands, obviously meant for someone else, and thought back to his excited shout moments ago.

An absurd, icy thought began to take root wildly in my mind.

I was shaking all over, my lips trembling as I forced out the question that would haunt me forever. "Dad, who else could be your little princess?"