She was sitting on the living-room couch, sunglasses and a mask on, her suitcase beside her.
Cruella hovered around her, looking up at her like a little chick, chatting eagerly.
In the kitchen stood Viggo, hands that had never touched housework, wearing an apron, making her a late-night snack.
At the sound of the door, Carmilla removed her sunglasses and mask and smiled at me.
“Mariah! You remember me, right?”
Her tone was casual, as if nothing were wrong.
“We were roommates in college.”
“My hotel in Glendale got exposed by paparazzi. I can’t go back right now.”
“I thought about it, and you and Viggo are the only people I know here.”
She gestured around.
“This neighborhood has good privacy. I’ll just stay for a bit.”
Then, as if remembering something, she added warmly, “We’re old classmates. You won’t mind, right?”
Viggo walked out of the kitchen holding a bowl of soup.
He didn’t even look at me.
“Of course not,” he answered on my behalf. “We’re old classmates. What’s wrong with staying a few days? The house is big.”
Mariah’s POV
My nails dug deep into my palms.
The divorce wasn’t even finalized, and Viggo had already brought Carmilla into my home!