Abby slept in the following morning, skipping breakfast in favor of hiding in the bedroom. She lay half-curled beneath the blankets, staring at the wall while time slipped by unnoticed. When Lucas knocked on the door to tell her they were leaving for Celia’s doctor appointment, she didn’t answer. She held her breath until his footsteps faded and the apartment finally went quiet.
Only then did she creep out, padding barefoot into the kitchen in search of coffee.
The smell alone helped a little. The bitter, comforting scent filled her lungs as she poured herself a mug and leaned against the counter, wrapping both hands around the warmth. She had just taken her first sip when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Abby froze.
She had no intention of answering. After last night’s disastrous at
