Chapter 22 The Ties That Bind

• Sara***
• The room was dim, a faint sliver of moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. The air was thick with silence, pressing against my chest, making every breath feel heavier. I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart thundering, the weight of anxiety settling like a stone in my stomach.
• Then, the sound of soft footsteps broke the stillness. My pulse quickened as I wiped away the tears, bracing for the sight of Max—but when the door creaked open, it wasn’t him.