Chapter 29

The house was quiet, almost too quiet, as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the blanket of snow covering the yard. I could feel the cold from the glass, but it was nothing compared to the chill inside me.

Christmas Day—always a mixed bag for me—had come and gone. “Family time” meant being overshadowed by my siblings, especially by Catty. I’d tried to ignore the ache in my chest, but Corey’s arrival had briefly given me hope. Yet I still found myself holed up in my room while faint laughter floated from the living room downstairs, where Catty was undoubtedly entertaining my parents with some exaggerated story.

I swallowed the familiar bitterness. At least I had Corey for a little while—before he rushed back to college earlier than planned, just before New Year's Day. Once he left, the house became a void again.

I sighed, glancing at the small pile of gifts I’d received for Christmas. The presents felt more like an obligation than anything thoughtful. I ran a fing