MARIA POV
A week had passed since the whole Steve drama, and while things with Val seemed to be heading in the right direction—therapy, promises to rebuild her relationship with her parents—my life was in chaos. Today was moving day.
It should’ve been exciting, starting fresh with Henry and Dax, but of course, nothing could ever go smoothly with my mother and their father around.
I glanced at my mother, arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line as she surveyed the organized chaos of our packing. Her disapproval practically radiated from her. Robert, the twins’ father, wasn’t much better, pacing the room like a wolf ready to pounce on any excuse to argue.
“I still can’t believe you’re actually doing this,” my mother said, her voice sharp enough to slice through the tension in th
