Chapter twenty eight

ALVA

The sound of the car engine roused me from my half-sleep as Nikolas pulled up in front of me. That was what I got for insisting I made breakfast for all three of us despite staying up super late the night before and playing a game of 'we aren't really strangers' with Nikolas. For me, it was some sort of escapism. When Nikolas got through to me, it always felt like I was betraying Charis' memory. At the same time, it felt wrong to continue to judge Klaus by actions he committed in the past when it was crystal clear he wasn't that sort of person anymore. I patted an equally sleepy Samuel and carried him in my arms. He had an appointment today, and while I wanted to follow him, I had school. Nikolas was more than capable of taking care of Samuel. I allowed myself to trust him that much.

I rubbed my eyes with my free hand and groggily got into the car, barely managing a mumbled "Good morning" as I set Samuel into his seat and latched his seatbelt in place. Nikolas simply no