Alex crept into the house, praying her mother was too busy to notice. The last thing she wanted was another conversation, not tonight. She had just made it halfway up the stairs when her mother's voice floated from the living room.
"Alex? Is that you?"
She groaned inwardly. So close. With a roll of her eyes, Alex dragged herself back down, each step heavier than the last.
As she entered the living room, her gaze snagged on strangers. A woman about her mother's age sat gracefully on the couch, radiating warmth and elegance. Her smile was captivating—so much so that Alex almost forgot herself. Mrs. Blackwood, her mother had called her.
But it wasn't the woman who stole the air from the room.
It was the man standing beside her.
Tall, composed, his presence seemed to press against every corner of the space. Something about him tugged at Alex's memory, unsettling and strange, like a dream she couldn't place. His eyes flicked to hers, sharp and unreadable, and her chest tightened as if she'd been punched.
"Alex, come say hello to our guests," her mother said brightly.
Forcing a polite greeting, Alex nodded. Mrs. Blackwood returned the smile, but Alex's focus remained locked on the man, who only raised a brow as if he saw more than she wanted to show.
"Alex, give Mrs. Blackwood a hug," her mother prompted.
Heat crept up her neck. In her rumpled clothes and tangled hair, hugging a stranger was the last thing she wanted. "I'm smelly from class, Mom. I need a shower," she muttered, already backing away.
Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile held. "All right, sweetie. Go freshen up. We'll catch up later."
Alex didn't wait for a second chance. She bolted up the stairs and into her room, shutting the door behind her. Safe. For now. She had no intention of going back down.
Downstairs, Catherine chatted for a few minutes before realizing her daughter wasn't coming back.
"It's fine, Catherine," Mrs. Blackwood said kindly. "We can always come another time."
Catherine forced a polite smile, though frustration flickered in her eyes. "Of course. Let me walk you out."
Instead of heading for the door, she let them see themselves out and Catherine climbed the stairs, finding Alex sprawled on her bed, headphones in, lost in her own world. Catherine stood there a moment, shaking her head before plucking the headphones away.
"Mum?" Alex blinked, startled.
"They were waiting for you downstairs," Catherine said, her voice firm but measured.
Alex smirked, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Are they still here?"
"No. They've left." Catherine's tone softened, though her gaze grew serious.
Alex's relief was instant. "Good. So who were they, anyway?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Her mother's lips pressed together before she spoke. "That woman is your new mother-in-law." She paused, letting the words sink in. Then, with deliberate calm, she added, "And the man with her… is your husband."
The color drained from Alex's face. Husband? The word thundered in her mind, heavy and impossible.
Her mouth opened, a thousand questions racing to the surface, but before she could speak, Catherine turned and left the room.
Alex sat frozen, staring after her in stunned silence.