Chapter 223

The familiar sound of my dad’s engine in the driveway brought me back to the room. My mom got up to meet him at the door, but I didn’t move. I tried my sister on the IAC, wondering if she would tell me when she might get there, but she was completely off. I tried Aaron, too. No dice.

“Hi, honey,” my dad said, coming into the living room. “Try not to be too upset until we know what’s going on.”

I smiled but otherwise didn’t respond. I wondered if this had something to do with whatever Cadence had been up to.

I didn’t have to wait too long to find out. We heard another engine outside not long after, and my parents stood up to greet Cadence and Aaron at the door. I assumed there was no one else with them but didn’t know for sure since I had no idea what was going on.

Mom opened the door and hugged my sister, asking, “What in the world could possibly be the matter to bring us all together on a