Chapter 4

As the recording finished, I realized that whatever was still holding me together inside had shattered completely.

The welcoming party was set for three days later.

Once the news got out, everyone in our circle was gossiping about which child the Bates family was bringing back into the fold.

Anne was over the moon, spending the last two days fussing over jewelry and outfits for the party.

She even brought over an emerald necklace and asked me if it would look good on Stella.

I looked at the necklace and said softly, "It suits her."

Anne looked taken aback, like…