Kate
I don’t know how far Helen’s house really is, but it feels like we’ve been in the car for hours. Maybe it’s not the drive… maybe it’s just me—this weight in my chest every time I think about seeing her again. I still don’t trust Helen’s intentions, and her unpredictable moods keep me on edge.
I let out a long sigh. Alex glanced over and gently said, “I know you don’t want to go. Honestly, I wish we could stay home too. But when she asked for lunch… and mentioned it’s a small get-together, I couldn’t say no. And you know, she insisted you come.”
That “get-together” most likely means my parents will be there too.
I nodded slowly. “I understand… really. It’s just…” I glanced back at the girls, their little faces lit up by the cartoons playing on the iPad, “You know how things went wi
