MELISSA.
My fingers trembled slightly as I picked up the folded paper.
It wasn’t obvious at first, just the faintest shake at the tips, a subtle betrayal of the storm rising inside me. The paper felt heavier than it should have. Thicker. Like it carried more than ink and fibers.
For a moment, I simply stared at it, the clean crease running down the center, at the way my name had been written on the outside in unmistakable strokes.
I unfolded it carefully, smoothing the edges as though too much force might erase the words.
The handwriting was familiar, slanted slightly to the right.
Hi Melissa, it’s me, Louis. Sending this notice to you, so it won’t come as a shock. I am coming to get you away from the triplets. They don’t deserve you.
I froze instantly.
Like my body had forgotten
