Chapter 170
I leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene with a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. Grandma’s patience and care reminded me that in all the chaos, there were still moments of peace.
“You worry too much, Baina,” Grandma sald, not looking up at me, her voice soft but teasing
I chuckled weakly. “Maybe. But I just can’t help it.“.
“Well, you try. The boy’s all right,” she said, and nodded toward Liam with a faint smile
And, of course, she was right. Because as I watched Liam take slow, purposeful spoonfuls of the soup as the color started edging back into his cheeks, that tight coil in my chest slowly started to unknot
And for the first time all day, I finally allowed myself a breath.
The next two days felt different, lighter. I made it a point to spend as much time with Ava and Liam as I could. We played silly games in the living room, built castles out of pillows, and road stones late into the night. The guilt that had been my bedfellow–the ache of not being there enough for them began to lift.
Alex kept me posted on all that was happening at home. His voice was always reassuringly steady. Sometimes, he would slip in a flirtations comment of no, making me smile despite myself. Every phone call ended the same with an “I love you”
“And the kids too,” he added quickly, almost as if to dilute the closeness of those words.
I couldn’t help but think he was calling more often just to say it, like he needed me to hear it
While his words warmed me, they also planted a seed of arciety. Once all of this was over, we’d need to talk. Really talk About us, about everything. The thought of that conversation loomed over me, both hopeful and terrifying
It was late, and I was getting ready for bed when Alex called once more. On the second ring, Larswered and sat back against the headboard, curling my legs under the blankets.
“Still awake?” he asked, voice low and playful–sounding
“Barely.” I admitted, stifling another yawn. “How’s things going there?”
The pause on the line was long enough to alert me that something wasn’t quite right.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said finally, his voice serious now.
I sat up straighter, my heart picking up speed. “What is it?”
He hesitated again, and I could almost hear him choosing his words carefully.
“My agent called earlier,” he began “Adelaide’s dead, Raina. They found her in her cell. She was strangled.”
My breath caught. “What?”
“She’s dead,” he repeated, his cone grim.
For a thoment, I couldn’t speak. My head reeled, trying to wrap around what he’d just said. Adelaide – dead? Strangled?
“Did she… did she make enemies that last in prison?‘ I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper
“It’s possible,” Alex said, thoughi du’l sound convinced. “But it doesn’t feel right.”
I shuddered, clutching the phone closer to my our. A cold draft crawled down my spine. U delaide’s death was not a random act, then what did it mean?
“I don’t like this, Al
Alex,” I said. “It feel… too convenient.”
“I know,” he whispered. “But I need you to stay focused, Haina. Don’t let this drug you into a tailspin, okay? Just be safe. Stick with the kids. I’ll deal with
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Okay,” I whispered
“Get some sleep, baby,” he said softly. “I’ll call you in the morning ”
