Chapter 77

Summer’s POV

As I stood there, a heavy stone seemed to be stuck in my throat, causing me to remain rooted to the spot. The sound of my racing heartbeat drowned out the faint rustling of leaves nearby. My knees felt as if they were made of wobbly Jell-O, barely able to support me. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, but my mind was too preoccupied to fully register it. All that existed for me in that moment was the emptiness that seemed to define me. I searched the depths of my mind, trying to find the right words to say to him.

“Uhm…” I found myself at a loss for words, uttering only a hesitant mumbled when suddenly—

“I’m just kidding,” he said, before closing the distance between us and ruffling my hair playfully like I was a child. He then walked forward, and I assumed he was heading inside the mansion. However, he stopped at the entrance and turned back, his hands in his pockets. “Why are you still standing there? Let’s go inside.”