The Blackwell residence sat high on the mountainside like it belonged to a different world.
The air was colder up here, cleaner too, but it didn't calm me. The house was stunning glass, stone, warm lights spilling through tall windows. My classmates were already whispering, eyes wide as they admired every corner.
"This place looks like heaven," one girl breathed. "Yael, you live here with Mr. Vito?"
"Are we interrupting your family?" another asked.
Yael laughed like it was nothing. "Not at all. They're happy there are so many people here for my birthday."
I walked beside him, pretending I was only impressed like everyone else.
But I wasn't here for the décor.
I leaned closer and asked softly, "Is your brother married?"
"Not yet," Yael said easily. "But he does have someone he cares about."
My heart tightened. I kept my face calm. "I saw him with a girl named Whitney before. Is she his girlfriend?"
