Chapter 108

Liam

We slipped carefully out of the bed once Anastasia’s breathing evened again, her teddy still tucked under her arms. I closed the door behind us, but not before checking twice to be sure she wouldn’t wake and see us gone.

Alaria sat on the edge of the couch, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. She wasn’t crying, but her eyes… her eyes told me more than I wanted to hear.

“Are you okay, baby?” I asked, my voice gentle as I looked at her. Alaria didn’t say anything for a few seconds, and when she walked into my arms, I knew that she just wanted me to hold her.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her to my chest before she pulled away to look at me. Her heart raced against her ribcage, and I could tell that she was doing her best, fighting to breathe, fighting to stand strong, and I could tell that she was frightened.

“Alaria, what are you not telling me?” I whispered to her. Again, it was as if she was having a mental battle of h