Chapter 1 – Storm's Arrival
The rain starts like someone flipped a switch, soft patter turning to full-on assault in under a minute. It hammers the roof in sheets, wind whipping branches against the siding like they want inside. Thunder rolls low then cracks sharp enough to rattle every window in the house. Riley stands at the kitchen sink watching water streak the glass, arms crossed over her tank top. The place feels too big tonight. Mom and Dad left yesterday for some couples retreat upstate, left her and Jake in charge like they’re still kids. Riley’s 22, graduated last spring, still crashing here because apartments in this city eat your paycheck before you even cash it. Jake’s 24, construction crew foreman, pays half the utilities, fixes s**t when it breaks. They’ve been step-sibli
