When my new neighbor, Claire, moved in six months ago, I thought she was just a regular person. I assumed she would mind her own business and not cause any trouble in the neighborhood. She was in her 40s, lived with her 16-year-old son, Adam, and at first, she seemed friendly. She smiled when we passed each other, waved from her driveway, and even made small talk when she saw me gardening. Like any good neighbor, I tried to be helpful. I lent her a ladder when she needed one.

The Missing Heirloom Now That morning, I went to the store for milk, chicken, and raspberries. An odd combination, but exactly what I needed. Milk for coffee and cereal, chicken for dinner, and raspberries for the white chocolate muffins my husband loved. I expected a quick grocery run. Instead, I walked out with a truth that shattered my world. I saw her in the dairy aisle—Mel, our neighbor. Young, blonde, recently divorced. She stood there, smiling as she examined the different yogurt flavors, like she didn’t have a care in

Janice’s heart pounded every time she received a message from Colin. Every conversation felt so natural, so real. She could almost picture them sitting across from each other, laughing over coffee, exchanging thoughts about books and life. But one truth loomed over her like a shadow: she was blind. As their first date drew near, fear wrapped around her chest like a tight band. How long could she keep her secret before Colin realized the world she navigated was different from his? The dim glow of Janice’s computer screen cast