Chapter 1: The Guest Room
The first night Nia Carter slept in her father’s house, she woke to the sound of someone arguing downstairs.
Not shouting.
Not screaming.
Just one sentence, spoken quietly enough to make her sit upright in the darkness.
“She cannot stay here.””
Nia stared at the bedroom door.
For a few seconds, she wondered if she had dreamed it.
Then she heard her father’s voice.
“She’s my daughter, Vanessa.””
Nia’s stomach tightened.
She slipped out of bed and moved silently toward the hallway. The wooden floor was cold beneath her bare feet.
She stopped at the top of the stairs.
“I know she’s your daughter,” Vanessa replied.
“I’m not saying she isn’t.””
“Then what are you saying?””
“I’m saying this is our home too.””
Nia froze.
She gripped the railing.
Marcus sighed.
“She needs somewhere to stay for a few weeks.””
“And what happens if a few weeks becomes a few months?””
“It won’t.””
“You don’t know that.””
There was silence.
Nia backed away from the stairs.
She returned to the guest room before either of them could hear her.
She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her two suitcases.
Only hours earlier, she had believed coming home would feel comforting.
Now she felt like an intruder.
Nia had never expected her father’s wife to welcome her with open arms. Vanessa had never been affectionate toward her, not really.
But Nia had always believed there was a difference between awkwardness and hostility.
Apparently, she had been wrong.
The next morning, she walked downstairs dressed for work.
Marcus was standing at the kitchen counter making pancakes.
“There she is!”” he said.
“My favorite houseguest.””
Nia smiled.
“I’m your only houseguest.””
“That makes you undefeated.””
Marcus placed a plate in front of her.
“Eat.””
“Dad, I’m twenty-four.””
“And?””
“I can feed myself.””
“I didn't raise you to argue before breakfast.””
Nia laughed.
Vanessa sat at the table with a cup of coffee.
She looked at Nia.
“Sleep well?””
Nia hesitated.
“Yes.””
Vanessa took a sip.
“Good.””
Marcus turned toward the stove.
“I was thinking we could have dinner together tonight.””
Nia nodded.
“That sounds nice.””
Vanessa set her cup down.
“I have plans.””
Marcus glanced at her.
“You do?””
“Yes.””
“With who?””
Vanessa picked up her phone.
“Some friends.””
Nia noticed the quick look Vanessa gave her.
It lasted less than a second.
But Nia saw it.
Marcus didn’t.
He smiled at his daughter.
“Then Nia and I will have dinner.””
Vanessa stood.
“I’m sure you two will enjoy yourselves.””
She walked out of the kitchen.
Nia watched her disappear.
Marcus frowned.
“What?””
Nia shook her head.
“Nothing.””
Marcus pointed at her.
“Don't start using that word. It seems contagious around here.””
Nia forced a smile.
“I'm fine.””
She wasn't.
But she didn't want to become the reason her father and Vanessa fought.
Not after coming home.
Not yet.
That afternoon, Nia returned from work and found a cardboard box sitting outside the guest room.
Her heart sank.
She opened it.
Inside were several of her things.
A framed photograph.
Two sweaters.
A pair of shoes.
Her old college yearbook.
Nia stared at the box.
Then she heard footsteps.
Vanessa appeared at the end of the hallway.
“I moved a few things.””
Nia slowly turned.
“From my room?””
“It wasn't personal.””
“You put my things in a box.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“There were too many things lying around.””
“I've been here three days.””
“And?””
“And you already packed my stuff?””
Vanessa sighed.
“I’m trying to keep the house organized.””
Nia lifted the photograph.
It was a picture of her and Marcus at her college graduation.
“Why this?””
Vanessa looked at it.
“Because it was sitting on the dresser.””
“It was sitting there because Dad gave me the room.””
Vanessa’s expression hardened.
“Your father gave you temporary use of the room.””
Nia stared at her.
“Right.””
Vanessa turned away.
Nia followed her with her eyes.
Then something caught her attention.
The cardboard box wasn't empty.
At the bottom was a small black envelope.
Her name was written across it.
Nia.
She picked it up.
There was no return address.
No stamp.
Nothing else.
She opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Nia stared at it.
It showed her father standing outside a bank.
Beside him was a woman Nia had never seen before.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written four words.
*Ask your father why.*
May you like
Nia’s fingers went cold.
And for the first time since coming home, she wondered whether Vanessa was actually the biggest problem in the house.
