24. Emily

My eyes fill with tears as I remember the pain, the loss, the fear. Caeleb, who has come over to where I sit in front of Finn, gently lifts my dress in place and fixes my zipper before covering me with a large coat. Finn pulls me into his arms, back to his chest.

I—it didnt work out, though. The miscarriage didnt break me, though it was brutal enough. It was the aftermath, the doctors words. I dont think Ill ever carry another child.

I stop talking, because my throat feels just … too heavy. The words wont come. Ive shut down this memory, built a life around that loss, a shield forged of acceptance, maybe even a stoic peace. Flora was the only other person who knew.

Mom would never have been able to handle it.

I never found reason or had the luxury of thinking Id ever be able to say these words to anyone else, ever. But here we are.

Silass tone, when he speaks, is unreasonably gentle, to the point that he sounds gruff, like hes not used to speaking this way. Youre safe here, with us. We dont say the words lightly. If we ever—and I mean it—if we ever do something that doesnt sit right with you, tell us. Show us where we go wrong.

Finn drapes an arm over my shoulder. Hes right, although he looks like hes about to cry.

Silas frowns at Finn. How about you speak up then?

Finn plants a kiss on my cheek. Im not as good as Mr. Wordsmith here, but yes, Em. You belong with us, and we swear to protect you. We cant wipe out whats happened in your past, but we can be part of whatever is going on right now.

Caeleb is watching me with hooded eyes. He dips his head. Well always be here for you. All we ask is that you speak your mind, even if it can be scary at times. Dont run from us. If this ends up not working out, for whatever reasons, dont shy away from giving us the truth.

I can sense the unease slipping into the theater. Among the three of them, Caeleb is the one who isnt sure about me. He has solid enough reasons, every time weve been together, just the two of us, Ive run from the scene. I havent given him enough reasons to trust me.

Honestly, though, right now, I cant imagine life without them. I dont know if this is love, because love is … complicated. This feels infinitely easier, whatever it may be, so Ill keep it safe from labels. Thanks, you guys, I mumble. You mean more to me than I can ever say.

Now, Caeleb intones, his eyes glinting. Are we hungry?

I nod enthusiastically. YES!

As we exit the theater into the fading twilight, I feel a comforting lull seep into my bones.

So, Caeleb says, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Whos up for some proper grub? No more stale popcorn for this guy.

Speak for yourself, Finn retorts, I could live on that stuff. But his mock gruffness doesnt hide his grin.

My stomach rumbles in agreement with Caeleb. The idea of warm, comforting food suddenly holds irresistible appeal. Fish-and-chips? I suggest. Nostalgia washes over me as I envision the weathered facade of my favorite seaside joint.

The perfect solution, Silas chimes in. Lets hit the road.

The drive is short, filled with a comfortable mix of banter and silence. Soon enough, were pulling into the familiar gravel parking lot of the fish-and-chips shop. The salty tang of the air, mingled with the mouthwatering scent of fried goodness, fills my senses with a sense of anticipation.

This chip is the size of my fist, I exclaim, holding it aloft for inspection. Crumbs cling to my fingers, evidence of my surrender to the comforting abundance of golden-fried goodness.

A proper feast for a warrior queen, Finn agrees, his grin widening. Though Im starting to feel like I might need a nap after this.

Caeleb snorts. You? Napping? What are you, eighty? A playful elbow jab lands on Finns ribs, prompting a round of good-natured shoving that sends cutlery clattering across the table. Silas, ever the sensible voice, shakes his head in mock disapproval.

Honestly, you lot, he sighs, behave yourselves. Its a wonder they even let us back in here. Yet, the smile playing on his lips contradicts his chastising tone.

The camaraderie surrounding me is like a balm, a much-needed respite from the constant barrage of worries. Tonight, were not grappling with sabotaged vineyards or faceless corporations; were just friends, enjoying a simple, no-frills meal and the comfort of familiar company.

The rest of the evening follows this pattern of easy comfort. Between mouthfuls of flaky fish, the conversation flows. We banter about Emberton, the sleepy little town we all returned to, the pull of the ever-present sea, and the ridiculous escapades of our childhood. Laughter fills the air, rich and warm. It washes over me, dissolving the tension that has become my constant companion.

With reluctance, we finally settle the bill. Night has fallen, wrapping the world in a velvety blue cloak. The air carries the distinctive saltiness of the coast, and the distant rumble of waves serves as a continuous soundtrack. My heart feels lighter than it has in ages as we walk back to the car.

This was… nice, I say, my voice barely a whisper above the soft crunch of gravel underfoot.

Yeah, Caeleb agrees, the single word laced with an unspoken weight. His eyes meet mine briefly in the dim light, and an unfamiliar warmth blossoms in my chest. I quickly look away, flustered by the intensity in his gaze.

At the mansion, the others bid me goodnight, promises of more problem-solving tomorrow hanging in the air. I linger for a moment outside the imposing front door, savoring the cool night air on my skin. This place—so steeped in history and secrets—has never felt more like home. But as I turn the key, a sliver of unease whispers through me. Its a fleeting sensation, gone as quickly as it came.

Inside, the mansion is quiet, the shadows stretching long and deep. I make my way to the kitchen, the familiar space offering a sense of normalcy. An envelope waits on the counter, the stark scarlet color a jarring intrusion against the white marble. My stomach twists with apprehension …

With a trembling hand, I tear it open. Inside, a single sheet of paper, adorned with a crude message scrawled in messy capitals:

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. BACK OFF OR ELSE.

Shock turns my limbs cold. My eyes fixate on the Polaroid nestled beneath the note. Its Caeleb and me in the vineyard. Id held on to a thin thread of hope that this wouldnt be true, that the shadowy figure was a figment of our imaginations.

Someone has been watching us, documenting our every move. Panic claws its way up my chest, choking out my breath. This isnt just about sabotage, this is personal. I grip the edge of the counter, trying to regain my composure. The world tilts dangerously as a wave of nausea crashes over me, sudden and merciless. Im on my feet before I can process the motion, my body operating on a primal instinct to flee. The room spins, a disorienting blur of colors and shapes as I stagger toward the sanctuary of the bathroom.

My hand slams against the wall, steadying myself for a moment before I lurch forward, propelled by the urgent need to expel the sickness within. The cold tile under my palms is a stark contrast to the heat radiating from my skin, a beacon guiding me in my moment of distress.

I barely make it before my stomach convulses, surrendering to the violent spasms. The sound of my own retching echoes off the walls, a grotesque symphony that fills the small space. Again and again, my body rebels, each wave of nausea hitting harder than the last, until theres nothing left but the bitter taste of bile and the hollow ache of emptiness.

Leaning back against the cool bath, I slide to the floor, the chill seeping through my clothes, offering a vague sense of relief. Sweat beads on my forehead as I struggle to catch my breath, the world still spinning on its axis.

The suddenness of the attack leaves me bewildered, questions swirling in my mind with nowhere to land. What caused this? Why now? My body trembles, a leaf caught in an unseen storm, as the realization dawns that this might be more than just a simple bout of sickness.

Fingers trembling, I draw out my phone to check the date on the calendar. With how occupied Ive been, this possibility just didnt make it to my mind. How could it, with my past?

But there it is, sure as day. Its been two weeks since I should have had my period.