Zoey stepped out of her parents' bedroom, closing the door behind her with a soft click. She exhaled deeply as if trying to shake off the lingering weight of the conversation inside.
But the relief didn't last.
She nearly tripped over her own feet when she saw Zachary standing right in front of her.
He hadn't made a sound.
Dressed sharply in a dark suit, he looked completely out of place in the quiet hallway of their home. Too composed. Too still. Like he had been waiting there long enough to become part of the shadows.
He looked less like a son visiting his parents and more like a guard stationed to eliminate any threat.
The way his eyes fixed on her made Zoey instinctively straighten her back.
"Damn you, Zach! You really startled me…" Zoey's voice came out sharper than she intended. "Are you waiting for me?"
"Why are you surprised?" he asked.
