Chapter 56
Ema's
The morning sun was bright, but it did not make the house feel any warmer. I sat alone in the large dining room, trying to focus on my breakfast. I had a bowl of oatmeal in front of me, and I spent most of my time quietly spooning the mushy grain into my mouth. Every time I moved, the silver spoon made a soft clinking sound against the side of the ceramic bowl. In the silence of the mansion, that tiny noise felt very loud.
The house felt far too big when it was this quiet. Without the usual business of the pack or the sound of people talking, the rooms felt empty. Mostly, it felt empty because Derek was not in the room with me. I found myself constantly glancing toward the wide staircase in the hallway. I kept hoping that I would see him come down the steps so I wouldn't have to eat alone.
Finally, I heard the sound of footsteps. They were steady, heavy, and very familiar. My heart lifted just a little bit at the sound.
