-Elias Grayson:
I woke up before the sun, before the house even stirred. My body felt heavy, but my mind wouldn't let me rest. The only thing in my head was my dad—his voice, his smile, the way his hand shook when he held mine. The way he asked me to stay with Sebastian.
I got ready for school like I was on autopilot. Washed up. Got dressed. Tried to breathe as if nothing had changed, even though everything had. Then I rushed to my dad's room.
He was still asleep when I got there. I leaned down, kissed his forehead, and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. For a second, I thought he wouldn't move. Then his arms came around me, weak but warm.
"I'm okay," he said, voice rough. "Have a good day at school."
"Okay," I whispered.
"And Sebastian is going with you today."
I froze. I pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. "Sebastian is going with me? To uni? Today?"
He nodded. "Yes. I want you two to get to know each other. I don't want you marrying a stranger."
