Chapter 269

The sound echoed softly through the quiet kitchen, lingering in the air but stirring nothing like a pebble sinking into a still lake.

Mandy paused, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. Had Claire heard her at all?

She furrowed her brow and spoke again, her tone warmer and more insistent. "Claire?"

But the only answer was the gentle bubbling of the soup simmering on the stove. Claire remained focused, stirring the thick, fragrant broth with slow, deliberate movements. The soup had been cooking for over an hour, filling the kitchen with its comforting aroma and rolling clouds of steam.

Mandy's gaze locked on Claire's slender back, unease gnawing at her. She called out again, louder this time. "Claire!"

Her voice rang out, bouncing off the kitchen walls. Still, Claire seemed sealed in her own world, oblivious, lost in the rhythm of stirring.

A chill shot up Mandy's spine; her eyes narrowed in alarm. It was then she realized Claire couldn't hear her.

Last time she'd seen Claire in the hospital, she'd seemed fine. How long had it been? And now, she'd lost her hearing?

Mandy clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

What the hell did the Linwoods, Brian, and Vincent do to her?

Mandy, her eyes blazing with a cold, murderous resolve.

Suddenly, Claire turned around.

spark of surprise lit up her previously calm eyes. Her lips curved into a gentle smile. "Mandy!

face brightening with a pure, sunlit smile-warm and dazzling. "I missed you. So

any sign of

stepped close, affectionately taking Mandy's hand in her own-soft and warm. "Come on, sit down.

led Mandy toward

doubts unresolved. "Let me help you

smile deepened with fond amusement. "No need. I can handle it-there's too much grease in here

thrown off by the reply. Had she been wrong? Could

to sound casual. "It's fine,

she wouldn't be swayed, Claire turned back to the stove, still stirring. "Alright, then-could

standing behind Claire. "I don't like fried

what she'd prefer. But this

Mandy like a punch to the gut. That

answers must have been

have suffered terribly in

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