Chapter 157

Lana's POV

I arrived at the edge of the woods before the café. The building sat across a narrow clearing, warm light spilling from its windows onto the frozen ground. I could see shadows moving inside, customers, waitstaff, ordinary people living ordinary lives.

I didn't go in.

Instead, I stopped at the treeline. Found a fallen log half-buried in dead leaves. Brushed off a small section and sat down.

My heart was racing so fast I could feel it in my throat, in my temples, in my fingertips. I s