CHAPTER THIRTY THREE – A HORRID SECRET

The sound of keys in the front door signaled the arrival of their parents at last. Jasmine felt the knot instantly re-form in her stomach as her mother's cheerful voice rang out. "We're home! And we picked up a cake for dessert from the bakery." Her father's deeper baritone chimed in. "Smells amazing in here. The kids haven't burned anything down yet, have they?" Jasmine's mother, Anita, appeared in the kitchen doorway, her warm brown eyes crinkling at the sight of Jasmine. At 54 years old, she retained an undeniable beauty and youthful grace about her. "Jasmine! You're here early, darling." She moved forward to embrace her. Jasmine hugged her mother stiffly, her body tense for reasons her mother couldn't fathom. She managed a tight smile as they parted. "Hey mom," she said simply, turning her attention back to the salad so she wouldn't have to meet her mother's concerned gaze. Anita frowned slightly at Jasmine's uncharacteristic demeanor as their father, Henry, joined them in t