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Chapter 13: Aftershocks

Author: Angel
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-05-26 12:49:22

The chair screeches against the floor as I push it back and rise.

“I’m done here.”

Lea stands abruptly. “Jude, wait—”

“Don’t follow me,” I snap, sharper than I intended. My voice cuts the air like glass. “Just don’t.”

She freezes, lips parted, eyes wide with guilt and fear, but she doesn’t move.

Jace doesn’t stand. He doesn’t even look at me. Just stares down at his untouched plate like maybe if he focuses hard enough, he can disappear into it.

I walk away from the table, each step heavier than the last.

Outside, the night has settled in—cold and wide and uncaring. The city lights blur as my eyes sting.

Then, footsteps echo behind me.

It’s Oliver.

Of course it’s Oliver.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just walks quietly by my side until we’re far enough from the cafe that the noise and warmth feel like they belonged to someone else’s life.

Then, gently, he says, “You shouldn’t be too hard on them.”

I stop walking and turn to him slowly. “Shouldn’t I?”

“At least they told the truth,”
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