laughter and music spilling out from inside. I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding, before the door swung open. Marcus’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a brief moment, I saw a flash of guilt before he gathered himself.
“Mom! What a surprise,” he said, attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Behind him, Rebecca approached, her gaze flickering between me and Marcus. “Ruth, we weren’t expecting you,” she said, an edge to her voice.
