The house was quiet, too quiet for how many people were under one roof. Morning light filtered through the hall window, painting soft stripes across the floorboards. I tugged at the edge of my off-the-shoulder crewneck, still warm from sleep, and padded forward toward the faint sound of a door creaking open.
Vicki stood frozen in the doorway of the bathroom, damp hair clinging to her cheeks, mascara smudged beneath her eyes.
"I—I'm sorry, I'm almost done," she said, voice small and shaky, like a kid caught sneaking out.
Elena stood just a few feet from her, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"It's...it's okay," she said after a beat, the stiffness in her voice doing a poor job of selling it. "Take your time."
Vicki ducked her head and disappeared back into the bathroom, the door clicking softly behind her.
I raised a brow. Elena didn't move.
"Elena."
She blinked like she'd forgotten I was even there.
I grabbed her arm and tugged her down the hall before she could say anything.
"What—where are we going?"
"Kitchen. You need caffeine and maybe something stronger," I muttered, guiding her down the stairs two at a time.
We rounded the corner, and there she was—Jenna, hunched over the kitchen counter with her hair tied up, sipping coffee like this was just another normal morning.
"Jenna!" Elena hissed, half whisper, half shout.
Jenna didn't even flinch. She flipped a page in the newspaper without looking up. "Morning."
Elena stormed into the kitchen, tossing her jacket onto the nearest chair. "Are you aware of what's going on upstairs?"
Jenna nodded, unconcerned. "Uh-huh."
"And you have no objection?"
Jenna finally looked up. Her smirk was dry. "He could be a little craftier about it. At least make an effort to sneak her in and out. Oh, and just so you know, I won't be home for dinner. "
