A Missing Key 218 Missed Calls One Family Secret novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On moving day, my parents gave everyone a key to the new house.

My brother and sister-in-law got one. My younger brother’s girlfriend got one. Even Maria, the housekeeper, got one.

Everyone but me.

I dragged my suitcase out the front door, leaving behind the sound of my family’s laughter.

That night, I powered off my phone, buried my head under the covers, and cried myself to sleep.

But the next morning, when I turned my phone back on, I froze completely-

Dad had called 218 times.

What the hell happened?

Morning light filtered through the mist, casting a soft glow over the new subdivision in the suburbs.

The air smelled of fresh-cut grass and damp earth-the kind of morning that should’ve felt peaceful.

Instead, standing in front of a three-story house with a manicured garden, I felt like I was carrying a boulder in my chest.

I clutched the carefully wrapped gift I’d brought, watching the moving truck parked in the driveway as workers hauled

furniture inside.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my face into something resembling a smile and walked in.

Inside, the whole family was there.

Dad-Robert Lancaster-was in his element, barking orders like a general.

His voice boomed through the empty living room: “That couch-yeah, by the window! Better light there!”

When he spotted me, his grin widened. He waved me over. “Evie! There you are! Come here!”

I walked up and held out the gift.

“Dad, Mom, congrats on the new place. I had this shipped from a pottery studio in North Carolina. Thought it’d go perfect with the whole modern vibe you’ve got going.”

Mom-Diane-took it from me with barely a glance. “That’s sweet of you, hon. Just set it over there.”

Her attention snapped right back to the movers, directing them to be careful with her precious dining table.

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A Missing Key, 218 Missed Calls. One Family Secret

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Chapter 1

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Finally, Dad walked over to Maria-our housekeeper of fifteen years-and handed her a key too.

“Maria, you’ve been with us forever. You’re part of this family.”

Maria looked like she might cry. Her hands trembled as she took it.

The room was glowing with warmth.

Everyone clutching their shiny new keys, faces lit up with belonging.

Only I stood on the edge of the group, my hand clenching and unclenching in my pocket.

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A Missing Key, 218 Missed Calls, One Family Secret

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