y slept
gh to let me rest. By the time the alarm went off, my body felt heavy and my temper was already thin. I sat on the edge of t
s the tr
to be
When I looked in the mirror, the woman staring back at me still looked like someone wh
to answer. Every step sent a low throb through my chest. By the
already
me an apron without unnecessary conversation. I was grateful
on every small task like it was the only thing keeping me upright. My hands stayed busy. My expression stayed co
Ruth studied me while
u haven't slept,"
ne," I
Another thing I
louder than the bond to concentrate on. I moved between tables, refilled cups, took payments, and kept my head down.
did
rse he
ed against the wall, closing my eyes. The bond chose that exact moment to surge. Hard. Sudden. A wave of ag
stantly, distre
against the wall and wai
uttered under my breath. "Do you he
eavy ache, but it left me shaken. I wiped m
ld go, she added that I should come back the next morning if I wanted the jo
k to the mot
. I dropped the apron on the chair and stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard. The bon
ge of the bed and pu
go I had b
ll-town café, trying not to fall apart because t
de something hot and bi
e rules I had written. Then I added another line, pr
t get to d
lined i
ntinued its relentless rhythm - a constant reminder that Kael was still out
hanging clothes, sta
ould go back
ng the small, ordinary life
ould keep ch
ept fighting me ev
ed for the man who had publi
hispered the words int
not cal
not g
l not
in response, as if it ha
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