"As expected. Mom has finally made her move," Kathrine said quietly.
She stared at her phone for a second longer before tossing it onto the couch beside her. Anna's message was still glowing in her mind—short, urgent, and far too familiar.
Mom is here. Be careful. I'll distract her.
Kathrine let out a slow breath and leaned back, her eyes closing briefly.
"So she's really watching her," she murmured. "Of course she is."
Ethan, who had been standing near the window, turned around slowly. It didn't take him long to connect the dots. He hadn't even needed to ask how Anna knew—he was certain of it.
"Anna saw her first, didn't she?" he said.
Kathrine opened her eyes and gave a faint nod. "She always does. She's been noticing things long before any of us. I just never wanted to admit it."
Ethan hesitated, then said carefully, "I always thought you didn't like Anna. Or at least… that you both weren't that close."
