ALINA
Just as I stepped onto my grandfather’s front porch, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I stopped for half a second and pulled it out, expecting one of the endless messages I have been ignoring all afternoon. Instead, I found a message from Jonah.
WE TOOK CARE OF HIM.
Good.
Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I walked toward the office and tapped twice on the heavy wooden door before pushing it open.
I stepped inside, only to nearly stop in my tracks when I saw Vera was seated on the sofa.
She had both hands wrapped around a glass of milk, holding it so tightly that it looked less like something she wanted to drink and more like emotional support.
My eyes moved from her to my grandfather.
“What is going on?” I demanded, slipping both hands into my pockets.
My grandfather sa
