bChapter /bb12 /b

Freya bstared /bat the empty ICU, her mind spinning. “Did they forgot to tell me, or do they just not care about their adopted daughter now that their breal /bbone’s /bbackb?/bb” /b

She stomped her foot, stung her bag over her shoulder, and stormed home, steaming,

Walking through the door, she stopped cold. Yana was on the couch, chatting warmly with Skr, their hands sped.

Carles sat nearby, his face pale but his eyes bright, a content smile softening his features.

The bthree /bof them looked like a perfect family, making Freya feel like an outsider in her

Her grip tightened on her bag, nails digging into the leather.

Forcing a smile, she called out, “Dad, Mom,” her voice sugary sweet.

home.

She strolled to the couch and plopped down beside Yana, looping her arm through her mother’s with ease. “Dad got discharged and nobody told me?i went all the way to the hospital for nothing.”

Yanaughed, patting her hand. “Skr agreed toe home, so we brought her back right away. We forgot to let you know.

She gave Freya a sorry look. “bDon’t /bbe mad, okay?‘

Truth was, Freya hadn’t been the most present daughter.

bSince /bstarting college, she rarely came bhome/b, spending more time partying with friends. No wonder the Lamberts didn’t think to call her

Freya’s blood simmered, but she kept her smile glued on ‘Two–faced snake, she thought, ring inwardly at Skr. ‘Said she didn’t want toe back, and here she is

Swallowing her anger, she chirped, “No big deal, Mom. It’s awesome that Skr’s here.

bYana’s /bface softenedb, /brelieved. “I’m d you feel that way,” she said. She’d worried Freya might resent Skr’s return, bbut /bbshe /bseemed to be taking it well.

bMaybe /bshe’d overthought it.

bYana /bsqueezed Freya’s bhand/b, her voice sincereb. /bb“/bYou’re both our daughters. Skr’s return bdoesn’t /bchange bhow /bmuch we care about you.”

“I know, Mom,” Freya said, forcing a tight smile, her jaw aching from the effort.

Her eyes flicked to Skr. “Since she’s new here, why don’t I show her around?”

it was the perfect chance to size Skr up, and Yana didn’t hesitate. “That’s a great bidea/b. Go on, byou two/b.”

Freya stood, looking down at Skr with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Come on, Skr.”

Skr’s lips curved into a faint, knowing grin as she got up, meeting Freya’s gaze head–on. “Thank you.”

Freya led Skr upstairs, straight to her own room.

The Lambert family obviously spoiled Freya, and her room was proof a pink princess bdreand/b.

To the right, a huge bwalk/b–in closet overflowed with designer clothes band /bbbags/b.

Freya gestured widely, her voice smug “Mom bsays /bI’m her little princess, so she had two extra rooms knocked out to make my closet. This room’s south- facing–bbest /bin the house.”

b1/2 /b

weo, 18 Jun G’A Q

Skr nced around, her voice bcasual /bbut pointed. “Nice setup”

Freya preened, soaking up her victory. “Obviously. I’m their only daughter; they’d do anything to spoil me

She caught hersell, pressing a hand to her mouth with bke /bembarrassment. “Oh, sorry…

She was saying sorry, but her eyes were showing anything but.

Skr saw through the act right away, unfazed by the weak jab.

She didn’t bite, her gaze wandering belsewhere /bin the room.

Freya’s smugness v

swavered–her shot had missed, and it annoyed her,

Following, Skr’s line of sight, she sneered. “Bet you’ve never seen stuff this nice before”

She grabbed a few dresses and some cheap jewelry she didn’t want, shoving them at Skr. “bHere/bb, /ba wee gift from me. Need anything, just ask”

Skr didn’t budge, letting the items drop to the floor in a pile.

Freya’s face darkened, her voice tight. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She red at the scattered pile. “I’m trying to be nice, and you just trash my stuff? You don’t have to take it, but don’t be a jerk about it.”