Chapter 258

Author's pov Outside the bedroom, Harper was rapidly losing control of the situation. Her attempt to maintain light conversation with Esther had disintegrated into a painful silence, broken only by the faint clinking of cutlery against porcelain. The tension in the room was thick enough to slice with a dinner knife. Then came the sound of tiny claws tapping rhythmically against wood. Muffin, oblivious to human drama, had decided to escalate things by scratching at the bedroom door, his high-pitched meows echoing through the apartment like a siren. "Such a... playful little cat," Harper said, her laugh brittle and forced. Esther didn't respond. Her narrowed eyes were fixed on the hallway, expression unreadable, but far from trusting. Then the doorbell rang. The sharp chime cut through the silence like a shot. Esther's eyes narrowed further. "Harper," she said, her tone icy. "Didn't you say this floor only had one apartment?" Harper blinked. "Uh... yes, I did." Esther stood from the tabl