Chapter 243

Ethan

She didn’t speak much the next day. And I didn’t push her to speak more than she wanted to.

I couldn’t blame her either.

Whatever had happened when she disappeared, it hadn’t just left physical exhaustion. It left something in her eyes. Something hollow. Like she was still there, but barely tethered to the now. She was trying her best to stand strong. She was doing her best to show that she was stronger than whatever she was, that she could handle everything that was going around. But I knew better.

I came into her room quietly, a tray in hand. She raised an eyebrow at me, but I also knew that this was a daily occurring thing since she woke up three days ago.

Warm soup, buttered bread. It wasn’t much, but I figured it might make her eat something. Or at least remind her that someone still cared. Remind her that I could change. That I wanted her and I wanted to be by her side.

“You didn’t have to,” she murmured as I set the tray on the