#chapter 60 Fractured Bonds

Cheney's return was a bittersweet relief. He bore the physical scars of his encounter with the vampires, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. His emotions were just as ravaged though. As he convalesced in our den, the triplets and I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and remorse for the divisions that had fractured our unity. Brian and Nicholas stood stalwart by Cheney's bedside, their expressions a mix of concern and regret. They had never seen their brother so beaten down. I knew only part of his demeanor was my fault, but I carried the guilt for the entirety anyway. Cheney, though still healing, looked up at us all with a hint of forgiveness in his eyes. It was an unspoken acknowledgment that the fractures between us had taken a toll on all of us. I could tell by their closeness to each other and to me that we were beginning to mend the cracks in our relationship that I had created. Yet, even as we began to mend the rift between us, a new sour