I clutch my bag tightly, as if holding onto it can somehow keep the day’s dramas from upsetting me completely. The huge pillars of the house rise ahead, casting long shadows in the glow of the evening lights. The grand entrance feels more like a fortress than a home, and I hesitate as I approach.
I look over my shoulder again, expecting to see Luca’s car parked in the distance, his curious gaze still fixed on me. But the road behind me is empty, and the silence feels almost oppressive.
Taking a deep breath, I push the door open carefully, the heavy wood creaking softly. I step inside, slipping into the house as quietly as I can. The door clicks shut behind me, the sound echoing faintly in the stillness. I pause, holding my breath, listening for any sign of life. The house is strangely qu
