Eloise
I drove in silence, my grip tight on the steering wheel as I merged into the evening traffic. The sun had set, leaving streaks of purple across the horizon. The city lights flickered on one by one, its like watching the world come alive for everyone except me.
The car smelled of my vanilla perfume mixed with leather, but somehow it felt stifling tonight. My father sat in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead, eyes weary from the long flight. Jadeline sat behind him, quietly tapping away on her phone, while Jennifer sat behind me, humming under her breath to whatever song played in her mind.
“So, how’s Max?” my father asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
My chest tightened. “He’s… fine,” I said, my voice flat. “Growing up fast. He asks about you.”
He didn’t respond, just n
