Chapter 53

Lauren's POV

I was having a very nice dream — one of those rare peaceful ones where nothing hurts, and for a moment I could almost believe life was the way it used to be when my bedroom door suddenly swung open without warning. The loud creak and slam startled me so much that I flinched under the covers.

Before I could even protest, Tessa appeared in the doorway, balancing a tray in both hands. The aroma hit me instantly — freshly baked bread and scrambled eggs, still warm, drifting into my nose and pulling me out of my dream like a hook pulling a fish from water.

“Wake up, sleepy head! I made you breakfast,” Tessa announced with that stubborn cheerfulness she uses whenever she’s trying to lift my mood whether I like it or not. She walked straight over to my bed like she owned the place, set the tray down in front of me, and sat herself on the edge of the mattress.

I groaned softly and tried, halfheartedly, to roll back under the blanket. But