âIâm sorry.
Itâs all my fault.
I was so careless, I almost put you in danger!â
Silently, I reached for a tissue, wiping away her tears.
Understanding her turmoil, I patiently reassured her each time she apologized.
âItâs alright.
Iâve never blamed you.
â
Once Riley had completely calmed down, I arranged for the necessary paperwork, and then shared a meal with her.
The food was surprisingly decent, but Rileyâs guilt had previously hindered her appetite.
Now, with her heart at ease, she ate heartily.
Even Luca remarked, âThatâs wonderful! Mom ate more today!â
With the task at hand concluded, dusk was descending, and my subordinate, who had accompanied me, still had matters to attend to.
Thus, I bid Riley and Luca farewell, readying myself to journey back to the villa alone.
On my way, I witnessed the Thorn Edge Packâs revival.
The once-collapsed buildings were now rising again, damaged public facilities were being repaired, and the disrupted communication was being
restored to normalcy.
A subtle smile graced my lips at the sight.
With all the challenges overcome, only the final touches of reconstruction remained.
The days ahead promised progress and positivity.
The ominous forebodings from my dreams would remain just that-mere figments of the past, never to materialize again.
Lost in the blissful optimism of the moment, I found myself humming a cheerful tune.
My heart brimmed with contentment, sweet as honey, as I strolled along the path leading back to the villa.
The treetops swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling in a soothing melody.
Even the wind seemed to carry a hint of sweetness, adding to the enchantment of the moment.
As I passed a serene pathway, a subtle rustling emanated from the grass nearby, catching my attention.
Intrigued, I couldnât resist halting my steps, drawn by the mysterious sound in the grass.
The noise seemed out of place, stirring a sense of unease within me.
Debraâs POV:
A subtle tightening in my chest gripped me.
The previous encounter with Gale taught me valuable lessons.
I remained vigilant, more so than ever, especially after hearing her final words.
Gale wasnât one to brag; her actions were always deliberate and calculated.
Knowing her, she was always up to something.
So when she confidently said she wanted us all to die with her, I figured she had a backup plan.
But if that was true, what could it be?
What perilous scheme might she have devised that could harm us all?
And that spellâ¦