Chapter 13
Four Days Before Christmas
The sound of laughter echoed from the garage before Maya and Liam emerged, both of them doubled over, carrying boxes stacked so high they could barely see over them.
"I'm telling you," Liam gasped between laughs, "that Santa decoration has been judging us since 2019!"
"It's the eyes!" Maya was wiping tears from her face, nearly dropping her box.
"They follow you around the room!"
They stumbled out into the driveway, still giggling, when Alex appeared from the house.
"Where's Ethan?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
Maya wiped the tears from her eyes, her laughter fading slightly. "Ethan? I don't know..."
"He went out to get something for Mom," Liam answered, adjusting his grip on the boxes. "Why?"
"Just wondering." Alex's gaze sh
