Chapter 126: Cracks in the Bond
Josie
It felt like the world had shrunk down to just us—the four of us in the dining hall, the air thick and heavy with silence. Even the clink of cutlery had faded, as if time itself had stopped holding its breath.
The burn of coffee still lingered faintly on my skin, but I barely noticed it now. My heart thudded in my ears as their hands steadied me, as their touch anchored me. For one fragile moment, it felt like maybe things weren't so broken after all.
Then Liam's voice broke through.
"So dramatic," he drawled, his tone sharp enough to splinter the moment in half. "And you all call me the chaotic one."
I stiffened instantly, the fragile warmth collapsing into irritation. Without even turning to look at him, I muttered, "You're not needed here, Liam. Go back to the cottage."
He let out a mocking laugh. "Not needed? That's funny. You'd all be lost without me."
