Chapter 134

Christiana’s POV

The orang air was cool and crisp as I stepped out of the car. My heart was pounding, each beat echoing louder than the last. Daniel’s house stonel ahead of me, but it felt hauntingly lifeless. I couldn’t stop replaying Mrs. Brooks‘ words from the night before, her desperate plea, her tears, It wrighed on me like a burden Iconklu’t shrug off

After dropping the kids at school, t’il promised myself I would do this. I owed it to Daniel. He was my friend.no, more than that. He had been my conflant, niy safe space when everything else felt chamk

Mrs. Brooks greeted me at the door. Her wrinkled face lit up with gratitude, though her eyes still carried the sadnews of sleepless nights. “Christiana,” she whispered, pulling me to a tight Ing. “Thank you for coming.”

I nodiled, my throat too tight to respond

inside. Daniel’s younger brothers appeared. They both looked worn down, their usual charm replaced by visible concern. One of them, Michael, ran a hand through his tousled hair and sighed. “He doesn’t come out, Christiana. The second he hears our voices, he shuts us out. He hasn’t eaten properly in days. If anyone can teach him..it’s you.

The weight of their expectations pressed on me, but I tried to push it aside. This wasn’t about me. This way about Daniel

Mrs. Brooks clutched my hand as we climbed the stairs. Her grip was firm, like she was trying to transfer some of her strength to me reached his door, she stepped back, her lips quivering. “We’ll wait downstairs,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “I trust you.”

I nodded again, taking a shaky breath. Then Etumed to the door.

When we

It looked so unassuming, just an ordinary wooden door, but it felt like a barrier I might not be able to break through. My heart ached at the thought of what Ly behind it. Daniel, my friend broken, hurting and shunting out the work.

I knocked gently at first. “Daniel‘ It’s me, Christiana.”

No response.

I knocked again, a little harder this time. “Daniel, please. I need to see you. Can we talk?”

Still nothing. The silence was suffocating.

I rested my forehead against the door, closing my eyes as tears threatened to spill “Daniel, I’m sorry, I whispered. My voice cracked, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “If I’ve hurt you, if I’ve done anything to cause you pain, I’m so sorry. Please, just talk to me. Let me see you.

The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, It was as if the room itself were holding its breath.

“Daniel,” I said again, my voice shaking, “I know I hurt you. I know I rejected you, and I know how much that must have hurt. But please, don’t do this to yourself. Don’t shut everyone out. You mean so much to so many people. To me. Please, don’t give up on yourself.”

Still nothing. It was like talking to a wall. My chest tightened, fear clawing at my heart. What if he wasn’t okay? What if he was too far gone!

The thought was too much. Before I knew it, I was sobbing, my hands pressed against the door. “Please, Daniel Lcried, my tears falling freely. “I can’t bear the thought of you like this. Please, come back. Please.”

Behind me, I heard footsteps. I turned slightly to see Mrs. Brooks and his brothers watching me from the staircase. Their faces were of shock and sorrow. I realized how desperate I must have looked, but I didn’t care. None of it mattered if I couldn’t reach him.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

I stumbled back, startled, and then froze.

Daniel stood there, his frame leaning heavily against the doorframe. His hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled and stained. He reeked of alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot and sunken, but they were locked on me.

“Christiana,” he said hoarsely.

respond, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. I stiffened at first, shocked, but then

can bear anything, but

I could. “Daniel,” I whispered, my voice thick

your fault,” he said, his voice cracking. “It’s me. I didn’t know how to handle

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12:16 PM

Chapter 131

how to let go

His face was inches from mine, his expression raw and vulnerable. “You don’t have to let go.“1 sald sofily. “Hut you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You’re

his eyes, and he looked down, his shoulders shaking. “I don’t know how to

alone,” I said, my voice firm. “We’ll figure

again, holding him as

slightly to see Mrs. Brooks clutching her chest, tears streaming down her face. His brothers stood beside her,

Daniel was finally out.

going to

Daniel was in and hearing the tremble in his voice when he hugged me, I watched as his grandmother and brothers helped

he needed. Her

tighten. I didn’t feel like a blessing. I felt guilty so deeply guihy that

relieved to see him finally responding to someone,

any moment.

Michael said hesitantly, his voice low. “Thank you for coming. He he wouldn’t even look at us. But you.” He paused, swallowing hard.

not trusting my

mind wandered, unbidden, to my own past the cold, sterile walls of the orphanage, the loneliness that clung to me like a shadow. I’d always longed for family, for connection, and maybe that was why I cared about Daniel the way

hair was damp, combed back, and he was dressed in fresh clothes. The darkness in his eyes was still there, but it wasn’t as consuming. He looked at me, and for the first time in

his voice raspy

replied, standing

was at his side, her hand on his arm, her face was of relief

I said quickly. “Sit down, Daniel.

his voice firm

Christiana. Please.”

refuse. I followed him to the couch, where he sank down heavily. His brothers brought him

he said after a moment, his voice quieter now I wouldn’t have blamed

shook my head, my throat tightening “I couldn’t

one,” he said, his tone

me off guard, 1 blinked, my heart clenching. Even in

my voice soft. “They miss you.

his eyes grew distant. I miss

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