Chapter 167: The Feeling of Betrayal
Evaline:
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes landed on me, and his face shifted from composed to something softer.
On the other hand, I felt my stomach tensing - not with hunger, but with nerves. Rowan gave him a short nod, then turned to me with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’ll wait outside," he whispered.
"No-" The word caught in my throat before I could push it out. But it was already too late. He had stepped outside and gently pulled the door closed behind him, leaving me alone with the man who had been avoiding me for past two weeks.
Kieran didn’t say anything at first. He just quietly sat down on the visitor stool near my bed, and started unboxing the meal he brought. He then placed one portion in front of me.
The silence was... heavy, but not uncomfortable. He looked calm, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.
"You should eat," he said, his voice soft, the same warm baritone I had grown to associate with safety that always came with his presence.
I nodded and picked up the spoon, letting the familiar scent of warm porridge settle my stomach a little. I took a bite. It was simple, comforting.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently after a while.
"Better," I replied quietly. "Tired."
He gave a small nod. "You scared us. Rowan especially. He seems like a really good friend."