y slept

gh to let me rest. By the time the alarm went off, my body felt heavy and my temper was already thin. I sat on the edge of t

s the tr

to be

When I looked in the mirror, the woman staring back at me still looked like someone wh

to answer. Every step sent a low throb through my chest. By the

already

me an apron without unnecessary conversation. I was grateful

on every small task like it was the only thing keeping me upright. My hands stayed busy. My expression stayed co

Ruth studied me while

u haven't slept,"

ne," I

Another thing I

louder than the bond to concentrate on. I moved between tables, refilled cups, took payments, and kept my head down.

did

rse he

ed against the wall, closing my eyes. The bond chose that exact moment to surge. Hard. Sudden. A wave of ag

stantly, distre

against the wall and wai

uttered under my breath. "Do you he

eavy ache, but it left me shaken. I wiped m

ld go, she added that I should come back the next morning if I wanted the jo

k to the mot

. I dropped the apron on the chair and stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard. The bon

ge of the bed and pu

go I had b

ll-town café, trying not to fall apart because t

de something hot and bi

e rules I had written. Then I added another line, pr

t get to d

lined i

ntinued its relentless rhythm - a constant reminder that Kael was still out

hanging clothes, sta

ould go back

ng the small, ordinary life

ould keep ch

ept fighting me ev

ed for the man who had publi

hispered the words int

not cal

not g

l not

in response, as if it ha