Katelyn entered the living room, slightly out of breath, carrying two bags in her hands as she hurried toward the center of the room. Her eyes scanned the familiar faces, surprise flickering across them.
"Kate? What are you doing here?" Dominick asked, rising slightly from his seat, caught off guard by her sudden appearance.
"I should be the one asking that," Katelyn replied, trying to sound playful, though her voice wavered slightly with emotion.
She had imagined this moment differently, thinking Amelie would greet her with excitement, and that she'd have time to settle in quietly.
But instead, she walked into a room filled with nearly the entire family… except her own parents.
Still, she forced a smile, her gaze shifting from one face to another, silently hoping her presence wouldn't feel out of place.
