The truck rolled to a stop, its headlights cutting through the darkness before flicking off, leaving only the soft glow of the porch light to illuminate the compound. Bette exhaled, already feeling the tension waiting for her in the night air.

Tina stood on the porch, wrapped in a shawl, arms folded tight across her chest. She wasn’t moving toward Bette. Wasn’t coming down the steps. Just standing there, still and stiff, waiting.

Nyah draped an arm over the steering wheel and glanced at Bette, her voice carrying that familiar teasing edge. “You sure you don’t want me to come in? Smooth things over?”

Bette shot her a glare. “Not helping.”

Nyah chuckled, shaking her head. “Suit yourself.” She shifted the truck into reverse, but before pulling away, she added, “You know where to find me.”

Bette didn’t acknowledge that. She just grabbed her bag and stepped out, slamming the door shut behind her as the truck rumbled away, its taillights fading into the night.

Tina didn’t move.

Bette sighed and took a few careful steps forward, the dirt crunching beneath her boots. “Tina…”

“You’re late.” The words were clipped, cold.

Bette ran a hand over her face. “I know. Things ran long…”

“They always do.”

Bette paused at the bottom of the porch steps. The anger in Tina’s voice was quiet, but that made it cut even deeper.

Tina’s arms tightened around herself. “Did you even think about us? About Angelica? About me sitting here wondering if you’d even bother coming home tonight?”

Bette flinched. “That’s not fair.”

Tina let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “No? Then tell me, Bette, when you were out there all day and into the night, who was on your mind?” A beat. Then, lower, almost breaking, “Us? Or Nyah?”

Bette opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

And that silence? That hesitation?

It spoke louder than any answer she could have given.

Tina turned on her heels, the porch boards creaking under her bare feet as she disappeared into the house. Bette let out a breath, dragging a hand through her hair before following, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Inside, the lodge was dimly lit, the warm glow of a single lamp in the living room casting long shadows over the furniture. The air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and the lingering remnants of dinner.