Nora's POV
"Please don't tell me you're backing out tonight."
"We're definitely still coming," Lena reassures me through the phone. "But there's been a change of plans. Mom and Phoenix want to tag along."
My jaw clenches instantly, and I'm grateful she can't witness my reaction.
"It's Elodie's first Halloween experience, and Mom refuses to miss it. Phoenix claims the same motivation, though I suspect he just wants to be difficult. Should I tell them to stay home?"
"I can't ask you to do that," I respond, impressed by how steady my voice sounds. "Elodie has never gone trick-or-treating, and her grandmother deserves to watch. That's perfectly reasonable, even if Livia Sutton happens to be a cold-hearted witch. Sorry. Pregnancy hormones?"
"Absolutely blame the hormones, and I completely understand your feelings. You know I still feel awful about what went down-"
