Chapter 2 — Pretend Again
I grabbed the bottle, the receipt, and my phone, then crawled back toward Noah as fast as my body allowed.
“Listen to me,” I whispered. “We have to pretend.”
His eyes filled with terror.
“But Mom—”
“Pretend.”
The front door lock clicked.
I shoved the bottle under the couch and collapsed beside Noah, forcing my body still.
The door opened.
Caleb stepped inside slowly.
Not rushed.
Not panicked.
That was what made him terrifying.
He walked into the dining room and stood over us again.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he sighed.
“You always were stronger than I expected.”
My blood went cold.
He knew.
His footsteps moved closer.
I kept my eyes closed, but I could feel him crouch beside me.
“You should have just gone to sleep, Emily,” he whispered. “This could have been peaceful.”
Then Noah made the smallest sound.
Caleb turned toward him.
And that was when the doorbell rang.
Once.
Sharp.
May you like
Loud.
Caleb froze.
