Irvin's POV
I fixed my gaze on Mom, my eyes sharpening with suspicion.
Her behavior had grown increasingly odd lately.
Whenever I glanced her way, I'd find her watching me with that weighted stare—like words were burning on her tongue but couldn't find their way out. Her eyes would hold mine a beat too long, tender yet burdened, as though she was swallowing secrets.
Something felt off. And Mom wasn't the only one acting strange. Barnaby had been equally bizarre.
When I'd mentioned Caroline's arrival in town, my brother's reaction had been downright peculiar.
"What's with everyone from Meridian showing up here?" he'd grumbled, his voice sharp and his expression unreadable.
I'd dismissed it initially, assuming he was just exhausted or annoyed. But those words carried an undertone I couldn't shake. Everyone from Meridian?
I studied Barnaby now, perched on the couch's edge. "What did you mean about everyone from Meridian? It's only Caroline."
