The next morning, the mansion felt quieter.
The kind of quiet that meant something was coming.
Ren sat at the kitchen island, poking at eggs he didn't ask for. Brooke was already arguing with Naomi about protein powder, Ivy sat curled up with a book, and Emily smiled like nothing was wrong.
Vanessa? Nowhere to be seen. Which somehow made it worse.
Then the doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
A camera swung toward the entryway.
"New contestant arriving!" the host's voice chimed.
Brooke groaned. "Great. More competition."
Ren stood instinctively, heart ticking faster.
The door opened.
And in walked—
Riley Quinn.
Sundress. Messy bun. Sneakers. And those same hazel eyes that used to peek over the fence when they were twelve.
Ren's breath caught in his throat.
"Riley…" he whispered.
She smiled.
"You don't remember me, huh?"
He blinked. "I… no. Sorry."
A pause.
Then her smile widened — not fake, not strained, just… tired.
"It's okay," she said, stepping inside. "I figured."
Emily, Ivy, and Brooke exchanged looks.
Naomi arched a brow.
No one asked who she was. They all saw the look in her eyes.
History. Deep, dangerous history.
Ren tried not to stare.
But memories flickered like static:A flashlight under a blanket.Bike rides in summer rain.A letter he never answered.
He didn't remember the details.
But he remembered the feeling.
Riley walked past him, brushed his shoulder with her fingers, and said quietly:
"Nice to see you again, Ren. Even if you're pretending I'm a stranger."