AMARA'S POV
The moment the door swung open, my hands trembled. I almost dropped the book behind my back.
Samuel Keller, my stepfather stood there, blocking the doorway. His brows pushed together as he stared at me... then at my trembling hands. He looked like he'd walked in on someone who'd seen a ghost.
"Amara," he said slowly, his voice deep and careful, "are you... okay?"
I forced my lips to move. "Yeah. Yes. I'm fine."
His eyes flicked to the dusty shelf behind me, then back to my face. "What are you doing down here?"
"Just" I inhaled, trying to slow the pounding in my chest, "going through my old stuff. I couldn't find some things in my room."
I kept my tone flat, casual, even though my pulse said otherwise.
He stared for another long, uncomfortable second... then hummed under
