Chapter 3

Maybe this was for the best.

After dinner, I started cleaning up as usual. Curtis didn't ask Edith to help this time. He got up and started helping me. When his hand brushed mine, I instinctively pulled away.

He glanced at me but didn't say anything.

That night, my stomach hurt so much I couldn't sleep at all. I could hear Curtis whispering next door, trying to get Edith to sleep.

His voice was so gentle, and it reminded me of how he used to comfort me when I was sick, a long time ago.

But now, that tenderness belonged…