*Harper*
I woke up before the alarm, tangled in sheets that felt too crisp, too untouched, like they'd belonged to a ghost version of me, one with no future.
The light from the sun filtered through the curtains, it was soft and golden, but it didn't warm me. Everything about the room felt smaller, less … me.
Downstairs, I could already hear footsteps. My stepfather's heavy walk, my stepmother's light shuffle, and Sophia's voice, which was sharp, hushed, and irritated.
I dressed quickly. A soft knit sweater, jeans, the kind of outfit that made me look like I was normal. As I came down the stairs, Sophia was pacing by the door, her phone clutched in both hands, her brows furrowed in frustration.
“There you are," she snapped as soon as she saw me. “Tell me the truth now. You said somethi
