Chapter 3

The next day, the school parent-teacher conference.

I dressed inconspicuously and blended into the crowd, taking a seat in the most secluded corner of my son's classroom.

As soon as I sat down, Marcus sent me a message.

[Summer, how's work going? When are you coming home?]

He was testing me.

[Just arrived at the venue. Can't talk now, the meeting's about to start.]

I replied dismissively.

The chat box showed "typing..." then came a little cat emoji indicating acknowledgment.

Identical to Rain's profile picture.

Feeling a bit disgusted, I put away my phone without responding further.

Rain, as the…