Emily
Lily and my stepmother were still deep in conversation in the living room, their voices floating down the hallway in polite, measured tones. I didn’t need to hear the words to know the topic. Probably still about the gathering.
So I slipped out through the back door.
The cool evening air kissed my cheeks, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden hedges. My heart beat faster—not from fear, but from anticipation. Adrian’s car was parked a little distance away, tucked beneath the shade of an old tree as if he didn’t want to attract attention.
I hurried over and opened the passenger door, sliding into the seat beside him.
He was driving today.
That alone made me pause.
It was rare to see him behind the wheel. I thought he didn't like driving, probably because he couldn’
