CASEY
I walk into the Blackwell house and take a breath.
Now, no one is watching me. Cesar has probably left. I don't know. I left him out there, in the car, in the night—and now I'm stepping into new territory, walking straight into the lion's den. Because this time, I'm facing Sebastian.
I hear voices coming from the living room, low and casual, but as I walk closer, I realise something else: everyone is already there. And it's not casual. It's almost like they've been waiting for me.
"Here she is," Sebastian says with a wide, easy smile as he crosses the room toward me. His voice is smooth, like he's just been waiting to deliver that line.
He takes my hand gently, like we've done this a hundred times. Then he leans in and kisses my forehead.
It catches me off guard. For a few seconds, I almost forget. Almost forgot who I am to him. Almost forgot that this is a performance.
Then I remember. I smile up at him, falling into character.
