Katherine's gaze fixed on the television as the news anchor's voice droned on in the background. Miranda's face filled the screen again, the familiar features now cold and ghostly under harsh camera lights. She looked disheveled, her hair a mess, her mouth drawn in that familiar defiant smirk that used to slither beneath Katherine's skin like a poison. Now, that smirk appeared pathetic, a cracked mask under pressure.
Beside her, Maya pressed into her side, eyes wide with innocent curiosity, while Nathan crouched in front of the television like it might reveal some secret answer. Katherine couldn't even blink. Her limbs felt heavy, and her mind kept looping the same phrase: It's Miranda.
The doorbell rang.
Katherine didn't move. The sound felt far away, like it belonged in someone else's house.
"I'll get it!" Maya chirped, already darting toward the door.
Katherine turned her head slightly, dazed.
