Chapter 74. Cementry Visit

Rae:

S disappears down the hallway, leaving the warmth of his touch behind. I don’t realize how cold the room feels without him until the silence caves in around me.

I sit on the couch, hands locked together so tightly my knuckles ache. The weight of the earring still lingers in my palm, even though I left it on the table.

I feel... hollow.

Like I just watched the world tilt sideways and there’s nothing to hold onto but the sound of my own racing heart.

A soft creak.

Then Eliza’s voice.

“Rae?”

She walks over slowly. Not teasing this time. Not grinning like she usually does. Just—gentle.

She sits beside me, pulling me into a side hug. Her arms are warm. Solid.

“You okay?” she whispers.

I shake my head. “No.”

Kieran joins us. He leans against the wall, arms crossed—but not in his usual guarded way. There’s concern in his eyes. Something softer underneath all that iron.

He says nothing at first. Just watches.