None of the girls were downstairs and she concluded they must have already retired to their rooms.
A wave of relief washed over her, but it quickly faded as a prickling sensation crept up her spine. She could feel eyes on her, sharp and watchful, tracking her every movement.
"Where are you going?" Avery questioned.
Avery was the last person she wanted to catch in a moment like this. Although Anastasia hadn't succeeded with her move yet, it felt like Avery already knew what she was up to.
Anastasia tensed at Avery's voice, her heart skipping a beat. She had hoped for a moment of peace, but it seemed Avery was always lurking, waiting for her to make a mistake. The subtle threat in Avery's words was clear. Anastasia didn't respond immediately, her mind racing with the fear that Avery might expose her, as she had done before.
"I was going to the kitchen," Anastasia lied, heading towards the kitchen now.
