Chapter: 1673

Just as she reached for the zipper to close her suitcase, a hand stopped her.

Cliff's voice broke the silence, low and sharp. "Why was Merrick in our house?”

The word ‘our' hit Laney like a stone, sending an unwelcome ripple through her chest. Our house? No, it wasn't hers. This house belonged to the Hopkins family—a place she had never truly felt was home. While she was grateful to Madison for treating her kindly, she knew her time here was over.

Laney's hands stilled, but she didn't meet his gaze. “He came to help me."

"To help you with what?" Cliff demanded, his voice sharp now. "Leaving?