Chapter 96. Get Her Back

Thedore’s POV

“Gone?” My voice cracked as I stared at Rosa.

“What do you mean she’s gone?”

“She’s left,” Rosa said softly, looking down. “With… with King Ezra.”

“No. No, no, no…” I shook my head. “No.”

I felt it.

A part of my heart was falling.

Cracking.

Crumbling.

Dropping.

Shattering into a thousand silent pieces.

“She was meant to leave today…” I whispered, trying to convince myself there was still time.

“She left last night. With Ezra,” Rosa said again, slower this time.

“No!” I stepped back. “Adeline can’t leave. She can’t just… leave.”

“She’s gone already, Theodore.” Rosa looked at me. “She’s gone, and she’s left for good.”

“No,” I murmured. “No…”

“You didn’t protect her, Theodore. You didn’t.”

“I did!” I snapped back, eyes meeting hers. “I did protect her!”

“No,” Rosa said firmly, “you didn’t.”

“I did!” I repeated, louder this time.

“Protect her how,