The following morning dawned crisp and bright, the sunlight spilling through the large windows of Ava’s home. The twins were already awake, chattering excitedly over breakfast, their laughter filling the kitchen with a warmth Ava had grown to cherish. Despite the sense of normalcy, Ava’s mind remained alert, scanning every detail, every sound. Danger could lurk in the most ordinary moments, and she could never afford to be caught off guard.As she poured cereal into their bowls, the soft chime of the front doorbell sounded. Ava paused, her hand frozen mid-air, instincts immediately kicking in. She exchanged a glance with the twins, who were oblivious to the tension, absorbed in their own playful banter.Her heart rate remained steady, her expression calm, but every muscle in her body was alert. Visitors weren’t unexpected, but the timing was unusual. She wiped her hands quickly on a towel and moved silently toward the door, her steps measured, purposeful.“Who could that be?” one of t
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