Chapter 88

• I wandered down the dimly lit halls, my footsteps echoing softly as I searched for Lyle. I knew he wouldn’t have gone far, but I thought it was odd he wasn’t in plain sight. My gaze caught on a room to the right, partially hidden by a lush red velvet curtain. There was no door, and the curtain was elegantly pinned back, suggesting that Lyle might have ventured inside.
• I stepped closer and peeked inside, my eyes instantly landing on Lyle. He stood on a narrow balcony, silhouetted against the soft glow of the setting sun, gazing contemplatively into the distance with a gentle breeze ruffling his hair.
• “There you are.” I walked up to him as he continued to keep his gaze at the sky. “Darren is okay but … well, it doesn’t seem like he will be coming home anytime soon. I—I don’t know if he will even make it home for the birth of our child. As long as he eventually makes it home in one piece, I guess—” I looked up at Lyle’s taut face and stopped talking. “Lyle, are you okay?”