Joy's heart pounded so loud she could feel it in her ears as she eased her car into the Kingsley driveway. Rin was there—just Rin, standing awkwardly at the foot of the steps, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his eyes darting nervously toward the front door.
For one fragile second Joy thought maybe she could bluff her way through. That maybe Rin would smile, shrug, and let her slip past. But when she stepped out of her car, empty-handed and with no Yu in sight, Rin's whole body stiffened. He flinched like she'd slapped him and immediately dropped his gaze to the ground.
The front door opened before Joy could even force a cheerful greeting. Theo filled the frame. His presence was a shadow, a weight pressing down on the night air. He didn't look furious in the way of raised voices or clenched fists. He looked worse—calm, still, his eyes fixed on Joy like she'd already betrayed him.
