America felt familiar.
But not safe.
Nia didn’t tell anyone she was coming.
She just left.
Packed.
Flew.
Gone.
Distance felt like control.
Like if she could just get far enough—
None of it would follow her.
But it did.
Marcus and Ryan weren’t far behind.
They didn’t argue this time.
Didn’t ask.
They just showed up.
Because they weren’t leaving again.
That night felt almost normal.
Dinner.
Marcus.
His wife.
Ryan.
His girlfriend.
Laughter.
Soft.
Careful.
But real.
For a moment—
Nia let herself breathe.
Then—
The doorbell rang.
Everything in her body went still.
Marcus frowned. “You expecting someone?”
Nia didn’t answer.
Ryan moved toward the door.
And when he opened it—
There they were.
Her parents.
The air shifted instantly.
Nia stood up so fast her cha
