Chapter 26

EMILIA

I get home earlier than usual, and the moment I step inside, I hear the unmistakable sounds of Tessa rummaging around. Shoes clatter. Cabinet doors slam. Something—probably a measuring cup—clatters to the floor.

I glance at the calendar. It’s her day off.

Usually, we spend her days off together, but with the wedding coming up so fast, she’s been pushing me to spend more time with Liam. If only she knew how that was going.

Well, she won’t exactly want to hear about it.

“I’m home!” I call out, kicking off my shoes and flopping onto the couch.

Fifteen minutes pass, and there’s still no sign of her. Not even a sarcastic remark. That’s weird.

Just as I’m about to get up and look for her, something hits me.

A smell. A truly awful smell.

It’s thick, heavy, and wrong. Like something is burning, but also… maybe rotting? My stomach churns, my eyes sting, and I slap a hand over my nose.

Oh God.

I stand so fast that my hea