Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

149 Chapter 149

Seraphina’s POV 1

I couldn’t eat.

For the third morning in a row, I sat at the breakfast table staring at Margaret’s perfectly fluffy pancakes while my stomach churned with

something that had nothing to do with hunger.

“Honey?” Margaret’s voice sounded distant, like she was calling to me from underwater. “You need to eat something. You’re getting too

thin.”

I picked up my fork. Put it down. Picked it up again.

Damien’s voice echoed in my head for the thousandth time. The same words I’d heard through the walls three days ago. The same

broken tone that made my chest feel like it was being crushed.

“I’m not hungry,” I whispered.

Margaret exchanged one of those looks with Robert. “You need your strength,” Robert said gently. “Even just a few bites?”

I managed to force down a piece of pancake. It tasted like sawdust.

Caleb appeared in the doorway, hair damp from his morning shower, work clothes already on. His eyes went straight to my untouched

plate, then to my face.

Something flickered in his expression. Concern. Understanding. Maybe pity.

“Morning,” he said, his voice carefully casual.

“Morning”

The word came out flat. Empty. Like everything else these days.

He poured himself coffee and settled across from me, watching me with those kind eyes that saw too much.

“Sleep okay?” he asked.

“Fine”

Another lie. I hadn’t slept properly since that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Damien’s voice. Felt his presence so close l

could almost touch him.

I pushed back from the table, my chair scraping against the floor. “I should get ready for work.”

“Sera, wait-”

But I was already moving, escaping to the bathroom where I could lock the door and lean against it and try to remember how to breathe.

Checks hollow from not eating. Hair pulled back in a messy braid because I couldn’t be bothered to do

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I looked like hell.

made the biggest mistake of her life and couldn’t figure

Work was a blur.

phones. Scheduled appointments. Smiled at customers until

glances when he thought I wasn’t looking. That concerned expression that made

here for her car,” I called

His voice came from under a truck hood. “Keys are on the

Mrs. Patterson. Oil change is done, and Caleb checked your

looks good.”

dear.” She studied my face with those sharp grandmother eyes. “Are you feeling alright? You

“Just tired,” I lied.

make sure you rest. And eat something! You’re too

in the desk chair and stared at nothing. The phone rang.

“Morrison’s Auto Repair.”

“Hi, is this Sarah?”

“Yes.”

I’m calling about my truck. Can I schedule an oil

pulled up the calendar, my eyes scanning dates

Are you

Yes. How about

pressed my palms against my eyes. The tears wouldn’t come anymore. I’d cried myself dry over the past

I was helping Margaret with dinner when Caleb came in looking

asked, stirring the pot

the fridge. “I need to make a supply run

jumped. “The

sale on brake pads and I need

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city. Near Adrian’s

Before I could stop myself, words

come

mouth. Margaret’s spoon stopped mid–stir. Even Robert looked up

“What?” Caleb asked carefully.

Can I come?” My heart was racing now. “I just…

Caleb’s voice carried a warning. “You know that’s

“Why not?”

down, his expression

will recognize me. I’ll wear a hat. Keep my