Chapter 1

I came home for the holidays, and as I pushed open the door, I was still imagining the surprised expressions on Mom and Dad's faces when they saw the gifts I brought.

But the house was empty, with only the faint sound of snoring coming from my room.

I thought my mother was taking an afternoon nap and tiptoed to push open the door, only to find a strange woman lying on my bed.

I was so startled I stepped back and bumped into the doorframe.

The woman woke up with a start and looked at me impatiently.

"Who are you? Why are you barging into someone else's room?"

"This is my room," I said angrily.

She sneered.

"You must be Erin, right? Your parents said this room is mine now."

Just then, the door opened and my parents walked in carrying groceries.

When they saw me, they showed no surprise.

Instead, they said in unison, "Why did you come back?"

My mother set down the groceries, walked over to the woman's side, took her hand, and her first words left me completely frozen in place.