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.

eating. Hair pulled back in a

16:35

174

<

149 Chapter 149

I looked like hell.

biggest mistake of her life and couldn’t figure out how to fix

Work was a blur.

answered phones. Scheduled appointments. Smiled at customers until

on me. Little glances when he thought I wasn’t

for her car,” I called

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

Mrs.

looks good.”

face with those sharp grandmother eyes. “Are you feeling alright? You

“Just tired,” I lied.

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

left, I slumped in the desk chair and stared at

“Morrison’s Auto Repair.”

“Hi, is this Sarah?”

“Yes.”

about my truck. Can I

up the calendar, my eyes scanning dates without really seeing

you still

How about Thursday at

my eyes. The tears wouldn’t come

evening, I was helping Margaret with dinner when Caleb came

Margaret asked, stirring the pot

thinking.” He grabbed a beer from the fridge. “I need to make a supply run

heart jumped. “The

on brake pads and I

7636

273

<

149 Chapter 149

Near

hit me like lightning. Before I could stop myself,

come

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

“What?” Caleb asked carefully.

was racing now. “I just… I

a warning. “You know that’s

“Why not?”

down, his expression serious. “Someone might recognize

me. I’ll wear a hat.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255