Drawing in a deep breath, I rubbed my upper arms. My gaze drifted to my watch. I had been standing outside the door of my house for more than twenty minutes. This was the same place I had returned every day for seventeen years. Yet, today, I couldn’t bring myself to knock at the door.
Carla and mom would be upset by my sudden appearance. But I had to do this. Drawing in a deep breath, I finally rapped the door with shaky hands. A couple of heartbeats later, the characteristic click of the latch sounded, and the door swung open.
“Ayame, you?” My sister gasped, looking at me with a stunned expression. “What are you doing here?”
“Do I need a reason to meet my sister and mother now?” I replied with a wry smile and stepped inside, brushing past her.
“Ayame, stop….” Carla said, rushing t
