Now it just felt… distant.
I lifted the diaper bag over my shoulder and carried the first car seat toward the front door.
Then I tried my key.
It didn’t work.
I frowned and tried again.
Still nothing.
A cold feeling crept into my stomach.
I looked closer.
The lock had been replaced.
A sleek security panel had been installed beside the door.
Even the welcome mat was different.
Before I could knock, the door opened.
Sabrina stood inside.
She was holding a stack of my unopened mail.
“Oh,” she said with a small smile. “You’re back already.”
My breath caught.
“What are you doing here?”
She tilted her head slightly, amused.
“Did Connor forget to mention?” she asked.
She stepped aside just enough for me to see inside.
The furniture had been rearranged. Fresh flowers sat on the entry table.
“This house is mine now.”
For a moment, the world tilted.
My chest felt hollow.
I took a step backward down the driveway, clutching the diaper bag tightly.
Tears blurred my vision as I pulled out my phone and dialed the only people I could think of.
My parents.
The phone rang once.
Then my mother answered.