Phoebe's POV
Maybe Harold picked up on the sudden iciness radiating from me, because his large hand settled gently on top of my head, fingers threading through my hair. His voice came out soft and reassuring. "I'm just giving you a heads up so you can prepare yourself mentally. For everything else, I've got your back. No need to worry."
He didn't pry into why my Heather records were fake, didn't push for the real story behind my return to Coralia. He simply accepted whatever secrets I carried, no questions asked.
Besides my grandfather and two uncles, hardly anyone had ever shown me this kind of consideration. I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me.
I bit down on my lip, fighting back the chaos stirring inside my chest. "Mr. Bailey, honestly... you don't need to be this kind to me."
I'm scared I'll never be able to give you back what you deserve, I thought silently.
