Lena.
The weeks after Mom’s return had settled into a dangerous rhythm. Julian’s romantic gestures kept her suspicion mostly at bay, but the fire between the four of us never cooled. Stolen moments at home, quick f***s in cars or empty classrooms — the risk made everything hotter. But the constant tension was exhausting. When Ava texted me mid-week with an invitation to spend the weekend at her beach condo, I jumped at the chance.
“Mom, Ava invited me to stay at her place this weekend,” I said casually over dinner Thursday night.
“Just girl time. She said she misses hanging out.”
Mom smiled, completely at ease thanks to Julian’s recent efforts. “That sounds perfect, honey. You’ve been working so hard with school. Go have fun.”
Julian and Oliver exchanged knowing looks with me. They’d
