Chapter 117: Her Broken Bond
Evaline:
The moment I opened the door and saw Mallory’s face, I knew something was terribly wrong.
She was standing there like a ghost with red eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Her lips were trembling as though she was holding herself together by a thread. Her clothes were slightly wrinkled, her hair tangled from tossing around, and the moment our eyes met, she looked away like she was ashamed to be seen.
I let her in and let out a sigh of relief when Oscar successfully slipped out of the room.
Mallory brushed past me with slow, uncertain steps. Her shoulders were curled inward as though they were carrying the weight of the world. I closed the door gently and followed her into the room.
Instead of bombarding her with questions, I quietly guided her to the small couch near the window. She collapsed onto it, sinking into the cushions like her entire body had finally given out. I grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, poured her a glass, and placed it into her hands before sitting beside her.
Her hands were cold and her fingers were barely clutching the glass.
Without a word, I began rubbing soft circles on her back, slow and calming, letting the silence stretch until she was ready. I was able to feel her shaking beneath my hand. Her breath kept hitching now and then, but I didn’t push.
She broke the silence first... in a cracking voice.
"I’m sorry... I just... I didn’t know where else to go."
I turned to her sharply. "Hey, don’t say that," I said softly. "You can always come to me. No matter the time, no matter the reason."