I played it twice.
Then I sent it to Soraya.
Her reply came back fast.
“Perfect. Still silent.”
Silence did something strange to my family.
It made them louder.
By Thursday afternoon, according to Elowen’s screenshots, my mother had convinced herself I was planning to ruin the house before they arrived. My father believed I was bluffing. My brother believed I was selling the property behind their backs.
That last one interested me.
Keaton called at 6:43 p.m.
I ignored it.
He called again.
I ignored it.
On the third call, I answered.
“What?”
No greeting came back. Just his breathing, uneven and angry.
“What are you doing, Arden?”
“I am making dinner.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, Keaton. I do not.”
