Chapter 4

A week later, a new part-time barista arrived downstairs.

"Emma, the new barista Linda is gorgeous!" Sophie whispered. "She graduated from a top school. Why take a part-time job?"

I didn't bother to look up. "Maybe she's here for someone."

Sophie blinked, confused. "Huh?"

I put down my pen and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Downstairs at Starbucks, Ethan was chatting away with that so-called "Linda."

She had a sweet smile and polished manners—the kind of performative perfection I knew all too well—Ashlynn White. The woman who'd destroyed my life in my previous life.

"Sophie, look into Linda's background."…