Chapter 56

EMILIA

Luther always leaves the kitchen lights on.

Every. Single. Time.

It’s why Diana says he has the stealth of a dying elephant and why Mum cuts his allowance every time she finds out he’s raided the fridge at midnight.

“Everything in life is a choice,” Mum always says, flipping through her morning paper, while Dad rubs her shoulders and nods like she’s preaching gospel. “And unfortunately, that includes your poor career decisions. If you choose to be a criminal, at least be a competent one.”

So yeah—tonight is no different.

I tiptoe down the stairs, socked feet silent on the wood, already mentally preparing my ‘caught you red-handed’ speech.

The kitchen lights are on. The fridge door’s wide open.

And someone’s standing there.

I scowl. Rookie mistake, Luther. Mum would’ve had your head if the staff weren’t all gone for the holidays.

When I walk into the kitchen, I find Luther sitting on the counter.

He’s sketching