Chapter 113. Mistaken, Again

TESSA

Owen was there beside me, his bag dropped lazily on the cafeteria floor as he held his usual canned iced coffee. We were seated near the back, far from the rest of the crowd. It was our first break of the day, but it already felt like the last.

“You seem really tired,” he said quietly, watching me carefully.

“Yeah,” I muttered, resting my cheek against my palm.

I was tired. And not just the kind of tiredness that a full night’s sleep could fix.

For the past few days, I had been trying to catch Mr. Winters in the act. I followed him. I took note of his meetings. I eavesdropped where I could without getting caught. But it was like chasing smoke.

Every time I thought I had something, it slipped through my fingers like water.

“Why is it that the world is going against me?” I mumbled, not really expecting an answer.

Owen didn’t reply. He just leaned slightly toward me, offering a shoulder.

“Let me lean here for a moment,” I said