12. SOUR DESIRE

ANASTASIA’S POV Finally, the Christmas party had arrived. The house glowed with fairy lights and smelled faintly of cinnamon, baked ham, and banana cakes. Things were falling into place, or at least they seemed to be on the outside. Isaac was moving into his apartment soon, and me? Well, once the holidays are done, I’d be back at work with long hours, endless screens, but this time, life would be different. I’d be temporarily staying at his place. Just the thought of it made my chest thrum with restless excitement, like a secret I desperately wanted to scream into the cold December air. I couldn’t stop smiling. My nerves buzzed with anticipation to the point where my palms felt warm despite the winter chill that seeped in through the old window frames. “Ana! Get the door!” Mom’s voice cut through my haze, sharp from the kitchen. I blinked, startled, then hurried to the entryway. When I pulled it open, a rush of cold wind hit me, and there she was. Mrs Robins from down the