Chapter 233: A Christmas Like No Other
Evaline:
The next few days blurred past me like flakes of snow against a foggy window.
Just as Draven had said, River returned to the mansion that very afternoon. His expression was unreadable but his steps steady. He looked better - less pale, more himself. I had half-expected him to avoid me or downplay the whole thing, but he surprised me.
When I passed him in the hallway outside the grand staircase, he slowed to a stop and looked at me. The moment held weight. Jasper stopped just a few paces behind him.
"Thank you," River said, his tone low but clear. "For staying. For helping. For proving me right."
I nodded, my voice lost somewhere between relief and awkwardness. "I’m just glad... you are okay."
He nodded once, and the moment ended as swiftly as it came. They moved on, and I was left standing there, watching his retreating form like I always did - trying not to think too hard about what I felt and why I shouldn’t feel it.
- - -
The next three days were spent tucked inside a bubble of warmth I hadn’t known I needed.
While the mansion’s halls glittered with lights and garlands, my room slowly transformed into a cozy winter haven. Oscar insisted we go "all out" with the decorations. He brought even more crates of ornaments, warm lights, a fake snow machine - yes, seriously - and even a velvet red tree skirt.
Draven showed up with hot chocolate, a smug smile, and an armful of pine-scented candles. Kieran somehow had the most practical ideas - command strips, ladder handling, and knowing how many bulbs a string could support before fizzling out.
We laughed a lot and I enjoyed their company much more than the alone time I used to prefer in the past.