The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1760

The day was still a mere promise on the horizon.

In a run-of-the-mill housing complex in Greenhaven.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The sound of the doorbell, interwoven with the hurried and heavy knocking, stirred Bertha and her daughter from their slumber.

Lea, groggy and disoriented, sat up and rubbed her eyes. “Who on earth could that be knocking at this ungodly hour?!”

Bertha was already out of bed and reached for her robe. “Lea, go back to sleep, sweetheart. Let Mommy see who it is.”

Lea might have just woken up, so her mind was still foggy, but her alertness was not to be underestimated. She quickly got out of bed and reached for her mother, who was about to open the door.

our place, and your friend hasn’t lived here in a while. Who would come knocking at this hour? We’ve gotta be careful; it could be a bad egg.”

at the clock on the wall. It was only 4 a.m., so a

I’ll come with you. You know, even though Daddy left, he must have arranged

people wouldn’t let just

men, it’s gotta be

couldn’t help but feel a wave

this bad egg be? She hadn’t wronged a soul.

someone sent by Sophia to deal

Bertha clasped her daughter’s hand,

louder

not daring to turn on the lights for fear of alerting whoever was

shallowly, Bertha inched closer to the peephole and

Huh?!

mother’s alarm and tugged her hand anxiously, whispering, “Mommy, what do you see? Who’s out there?”