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.

hasn’t lived here in a while. Who would come knocking at this hour? We’ve gotta be careful; it could be

4 a.m., so

now fully dressed. “Wait for me, Mommy. I’ll come with you. You know, even though Daddy left, he must have arranged for

people wouldn’t let just anyone come knocking.

ain’t one of Daddy’s men, it’s gotta

help but feel a wave of fear wash

could this bad egg be? She hadn’t wronged a

sent by Sophia to deal with them?

her daughter’s hand, ready to

louder and more frantic.

to turn on the lights for fear

Bertha inched closer to the peephole

Huh?!

noticed her mother’s alarm and tugged her hand anxiously, whispering, “Mommy, what do