Se connecterCHAPTER 135BRANDONIf anything, seeing Clara standing there made me more uncomfortable than angry.She had Leo with her, and the little boy looked nothing like the energetic child I remembered. He stayed close to his mother, one hand curled tightly around the hem of her shirt while his eyes moved cautiously around the unfamiliar clinic. When I looked at him, he quickly lowered his gaze, almost as though he had become accustomed to avoiding people’s eyes.That was what had been happening lately.Leo had stopped talking as much. He barely slept through the night, woke from nightmares he couldn’t properly explain, and became anxious whenever Clara stepped out of his sight. His doctors had called it trauma-related distress, and while they hadn’t given us a simple diagnosis that could explain everything, they had been very clear about one thing: Leo needed stability, and love.Something his mother can’t provide.Most importantly, he needed to feel that the people he loved weren’t going
ThaliaI expected Brandon to leave after Caleb told him I wasn't there, but when I glanced toward the doorway a few minutes later, I caught sight of him still standing in the hallway.He hadn't gone anywhere.He was leaning against the wall with his arms folded, occasionally glancing toward the clinic as though he had decided he could wait all afternoon if that was what it took.Caleb returned to my side and lowered his voice."He's still waiting."I looked toward the doorway again before turning my attention back to the ceiling."Maybe he'll leave."Caleb gave me a look."He hasn't."I sighed and closed my eyes, wishing I could somehow disappear beneath the thin clinic blanket and avoid the conversation altogether. It wasn't that I didn't want to see Brandon. A few more minutes passed before Caleb glanced toward the doorway again."Still waiting."I opened my eyes."He's really not going to leave, is he?""Probably not."A reluctant smile tugged at my mouth."I hate that you're prob
THALIAThe moment I heard Brandon ask for me, every muscle in my body seemed to tense at once.For the past few minutes, I had been trying to settle the uneasiness Clara's appearance had stirred inside me. Now, hearing Brandon's voice just outside the door made all of that effort feel pointless.I looked at Caleb, and behold, he was already looking at me.There was a question in his eyes, but I didn't have the energy to answer it. Before I could think better of it, my hand reached out and caught the front of his shirt, my fingers curling into the fabric near his chest."Don't let him come in."The words came out quieter than I'd intended.Caleb's expression changed immediately. The amusement disappeared from his face, replaced by something gentler as he glanced briefly toward the doorway."Okay."He didn't ask why.He didn't ask what had happened between Brandon and me.He simply stood and moved toward the entrance, positioning himself in a way that blocked most of the room from view
All I could think about was the accident.The crash.Clara's car.The memories came back so suddenly that for a moment I couldn't hear anything else happening around me. Everything seemed to blur into ugly images I'd spent weeks trying to bury My hands went to my head as I took a step away.I needed to leave.I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't care. I only knew I couldn't stand there another second watching Clara, watching her son, watching Brandon standing beside them.I turned, but before I could take another step, a hand gently caught my arm."Thalia?"I looked back and it was Caleb. Thank God!Concern had replaced the easy smile that usually seemed permanently attached to his face."Are you okay?"I swallowed and forced myself to nod."Yes."He didn't look convinced."Are you sure?""I'm fine."My voice sounded steadier than I felt.Caleb's gaze shifted past me, following the direction I'd been looking moments earlier. His expression changed slightly when he saw Brand
For a moment, I wasn't sure whether I had actually seen Clara or whether my mind had simply reached into the past and placed a familiar face where it didn't belong.Olivia followed my gaze."What are you still looking at?”"I..." I hesitated, still staring at the doors. "I thought I saw Clara."Olivia turned toward the building and looked around the courtyard, her eyes moving from the entrance to the surrounding gardens before she looked back at me."There's no one here, babe."I glanced toward the entrance again.Nothing.No sign that anyone had been standing there at all.I swallowed and nodded slowly."Maybe it's just my head."Olivia gave me a sympathetic smile."It's definitely just your head."I looked at her.She held my gaze for a second before the absurdity of the situation finally caught up with both of us and a laugh escaped us."You're terrible.""I know."She slipped her arm through mine, steering me gently away from the courtyard."Come on before your imagination decides
THALIA By the time I found my way back to Olivia, the afternoon sun had begun its slow descent, pouring through the tall windows in warm ribbons of gold that stretched across the polished floor. The place was quieter than it had been earlier, though not by much. I slipped behind my desk, setting the folder Coach George had asked me to return beside the stack of recovery charts waiting to be updated. Before I could reach for the first clipboard, Olivia looked up from the treatment table where she was sorting fresh supplies, and the smile that slowly spread across her face told me she had been waiting for my return. “There you are,” she said, watching me far too closely to make me comfortable. “I was beginning to think you’d accepted a new job.” I laughed as I pulled my chair out. “I don’t think Coach George would appreciate me resigning halfway through camp.” “He’d survive.” She closed the lid of the medical kit before wandering over, folding her arms against her chest with e
THALIAI stopped walking just before we got to the hall.“Infact…”I opened my purse and pulled out a folded document I had deliberately brought with me tonight. I unfolded it and held it out in front of him.“I brought the agreement for you to sign, Mr. Langford.You promised me a 50% discount on m
THALIABy the time I got to work the next morning, I was still irritated from Brandon showing up at my apartment the night before like he had lost every remaining ounce of sense he possessed.The nerve of that man still annoyed me.I walked into the lab with my coffee in one hand and my laptop bag
THALIAI stood just behind the stage entrance, my hands resting lightly against each other as I adjusted my grip, then released it again when I realized I was doing too much.“You’re good,” the event coordinator said quietly as she passed me. “It’s almost your turn.”I nodded once without respondin
THALIABrandon gave a short scoff beside me, the sound low and dry, as though my anger was something he found mildly inconvenient rather than justified, and it made my frustration spike all over again.“What exactly are you talking about?” he asked, leaning back into the leather seat as if we were







