Chapter 116

LILY.

"...and don't forget your meals, Lily; put some skin on those bones."

I smiled as I watched them load her bags into the car's trunk, feeling a mix of warmth and sadness.

Warmth because, even with all of the explanations, that I probably ate more than anyone in the Manor, she still made it a goal to stuff me till I couldn't sit up.

And sadness because I wouldn't be having that anylonger.

There would be no one to ring me out of bed with an already filled table, no one to read to and listen to their surprised gasps as I drew out every word dramatically.

Because she was leaving.

I had stumbled out of Adler's room to find her bags already packed and waiting. When she saw me, she smiled and explained how she had planned to leave a couple of weeks ago but waited to make sure Adler and I sorted things out.

She intended to sneak away before the manor was awake, but except for Adler, who had slithered out of bed before dawn, her plan was