Chapter 12: No Way Out

I was baffled, took a deep breath.

“Then just throw it away, Miss Carter.”

The only reason I care about my luggage is because so much of it came from my grandfather. But if getting it means getting tangled up with Lillian again, I’d rather let it go.

When people die, everything turns to dust. While Grandpa was alive, I did my duty—no regrets. As for keepsakes, if I can keep them, I will. If not, so be it.

I sighed, about to hang up, when Natalie, who was getting up from the carpet, suddenly winced.

“Ow, that hurts…”

I hurried to support her. “Kneeled too long? Look, your knees are all red.”

Natalie grumbled, “How was I supposed to know you’d take so long…”

BANG!

At the same time, there was a loud crash—both from my phone and outside the door.

Startled, I heard Lillian’s icy voice, gritted through her teeth:

“Caleb, are you coming out yourself, or do I need to break down the door and drag you out?”

I stared in disbelief.

Lillian… was actually at the door?

My heart did a weird skip. Savannah nights are supposed to be peaceful—just crickets and distant traffic. Yet here I was, staring at my own front door, half-expecting her to come barreling through. No way out now. And, God help me, I wasn’t sure if I was more afraid or curious. No way out now. The queen of Savannah was at my door, and this time, I didn’t know if I was about to lose more than just my luggage.