Presage — Angelica Kate

She was born into darkness, but her dreams whispered of light.Birdie has spent her life in the shadows-serving a sick mother, enduring the cruelty of a stepfather, and raising a little sister in a home where love has long since died. Her only escape is a story her mother once told-of a cabin hidden deep in the woods, where dreams come true and secrets are buried.When her mother passes, Birdie dares to follow the trail-and what she finds at the end of that path will alter everything she thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future. But when her stepfather discovers what she's uncovered, a brutal act of violence nearly takes her life-and shoves her headfirst into a journey of survival, identity, and healing.With the help of her best friend's brother, Birdie escapes to a new city under a new name. From the refuge of a women's shelter to the chaotic charm of a Manhattan restaurant, she slowly begins to build a life of her own-one filled with unexpected friendships, creative discovery, and a passion for painting that refuses to stay buried.But even as she starts to thrive, the past isn't finished with her. As secrets resurface, identities are revealed, and a long-lost connection returns, Birdie must decide whether she's strong enough to live the life her mother always dreamed for her-and claim a love she thought she'd never be worthy of.