The front door swung open. My children were home from school.Sensing the tension in the room, they didn't run to me, their mother. Instead, they squealed with delight and threw themselves at Sofia."Auntie Sofia! You're finally here!"My son, Leo, clung to Sofia's arm, rubbing his cheek against it. My daughter, Mia, was even worse, nuzzling her face into Sofia's brand-new red couture gown."Auntie Sofia, you smell so expensive," Mia said, wrinkling her nose. "Unlike Mom. She always smells like cheap marinara sauce and bleach."Mia shot me a look of pure disgust. The scent she was complaining about was from the lasagna I had spent the afternoon preparing—her favorite dish.Sofia glanced at me, a victorious glint in her eyes, though her voice feigned modesty. "Mia, don't say that. Your mother works very hard taking care of you in this big, empty house.""Hard work? Please," Leo scoffed, flipping a butterfly knife in his hand—a dangerous toy he shouldn't have had. "Look at her. That red
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