Chapter 138. The Aftermath

Caleb’s POV

I gasped awake, my whole body screaming in pain as I sucked in a sharp breath. My head throbbed, my ribs ached, and for a second, I couldn’t even tell where I was. My vision swam, and I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. The scent of something burnt lingered in the air, mixed with the sickly sweet aroma of crushed cake and spilled drinks.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. Then, like a dam breaking, the memories hit me all at once. The party. The laughter. The wind. The chaos. The moment everything turned upside down.

“Shit…” I muttered, forcing myself to sit up despite the sharp protest of my muscles. My heart pounded as my eyes darted around, taking in the wreckage. Caroline’s birthday party was completely destroyed. Decorations were ripped apart, tangled ribbons fluttering weakly in the aftermath. Tables were overturned, food smeared across the walls, plates shattered. The string lights that had giv