Zara moved like a shadow along the side of the house, she stopped at the front door, inhaled deeply, then let the breath out slowly, her fingers trembled as she turned the knob. The moment she stepped into the living room, her mom’s voice cut through the silence.
“Where are you coming from?”
The slap landed across Zara’s cheek before she could even turn. She stumbled back, hand flying up to hold her face, eyes wide with shock.
Her mom stood there in her nightgown, eyes blazing with anger and worry. “Answer me, Zara. Where have you been all night?”
Zara’s mind spun. She could feel the heat rising in her slapped cheek. She had expected to sneak upstairs like usual, but now her mom was right there, waiting as she had known all along. Noah sat on the couch, phone in his lap, watching the w
