Chapter 658

Renee eased into the passenger seat and shut the door. Anne started the car without a word. Morning light filtered through the trees as they made their way down the mountain road. Renee was still in a daze, her gaze glued to Anne as if afraid she would disappear the moment she blinked. They drove through the soft morning light filtering between the trees. Renee stared at Anne in a daze, afraid she would vanish the moment her eyes flickered away. "When did you come back? And where have you been staying?" Renee couldn't help but ask. "I came back in April," Anne said. Sitting next to her mother, she no longer felt the need to keep anything from her. "I've been living in a villa in Riverstone. I was planning to come home in October for your birthday and surprise you." Renee felt her throat close up. "You were back this whole time, so why didn't you come home? Do you know how much I've suffered? I was barely holding on." Anne let out a faint, cold snort. "I just wasn't ready." "Wha