The sun streamed lazily through the half-open blinds, thin strips of golden light slicing across the polished countertops. The kitchen smelled faintly of fresh coffee grounds and toast crumbs from yesterday, the air warm and still, too calm for the chaos unfolding against the marble counter.

It should've been an ordinary morning. I'd woken up late, padding barefoot down the stairs in nothing but my thin cotton shorts and a loose tank, hair messy from sleep. The house was supposed to be empty safe. My parents had left on a business trip, their voices echoing in my mind: "We'll be back next Friday.