Chapter 197

Harper

Lunch was ready sooner than I expected.

The scent drifted through the house first—warm, familiar, comforting in a way that immediately pulled something loose in my chest. Roasted chicken, herbs, something buttery and rich. My mom called up the stairs, her voice bright but gentle, telling us it was time.

We joined my parents in the dining room, the table already set. Not fancy, not staged