Chapter 78 Welcome Back

• SERA
• Morning sunlight poured through the windows as our car rolled down the narrow path leading to Blackwood Estate. The tall trees lining the road felt like they were welcoming us home.
• Last night, I almost pushed Cal past his limit. And even though he had turned me down—so gently, so kindly—I knew he could tell I was trying to dig too deep. What surprised me was how he still held me afterward. How he rubbed my back without saying a word. How he stayed awake watching over me even though I could tell he barely slept himself.