I spent the day in my room, surrounded by silence. As hunger crept in, I decided to head to the kitchen, where the familiar scent of home filled the air. Just as I was about to start cooking, I heard the front door creak open and slam shut. My heart raced as I turned to see Elijah standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of surprise and hesitation.
I knew I hadn’t made things easy for him. Despite this house being his long before I arrived, my rebellious behavior had complicated our dynamic—and the guilt weighed heavily on me. I realized it wasn’t fair to direct my frustration at him, especially since my mother chose to keep so much hidden from me.But the moment I spotted him in the kitchen, a wave of déjà vu washed over me, and it felt as if Jackson’s men had invaded my space once
