CHAPTER 25
Steph showed up like the past few weeks hadn’t happened. Like she hadn’t frozen me out, hadn’t kissed Daniel like he hadn’t gutted me before, like she hadn’t made me feel like I was the worst person alive for loving her brother.
She came knocking mid-morning on a Sunday. No warning. No apology. Just a knock—three light taps like we were still best friends sharing playlists and eye cream.
I opened the door slowly. She stood there, makeup-free, hair pulled back into a careless bun, hoodie too big like she was shrinking into it on purpose.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
I didn’t say anything. Just stepped aside and let her walk through.
She took her usual seat on the couch. Like muscle memory. Like she belonged there.
I sat across from her, spine straight. Calm.
She fidgeted w
