Chapter 242

Celena's Perspective The beech and spruce trees flashing past the car window grew more and more familiar. So did the unique scent in the air—pine needles, damp earth. We were almost home. Jacob drove with focused intensity, though the dappled afternoon light softened the hard lines of his profile. His hands were steady on the wheel, but his eyes would flick to me every so often, checking. That look held worry, care, and a bone-deep, relieved exhaustion. He thought the worst was over. We had our answer, we’d escaped, and we were on our way home. Now came the long, slow work of healing. Wrapping the wound in time and the fabric of a familiar life. He’d done enough. More than enough. So much it made my heart ache. I couldn't… I couldn't keep going on like this. But I’d decided. One last effort. For Brett. No, I hadn’t really wanted a new dress. That was just an excuse. A plausible reason to make him stop. “Pull over.” My voice came out calmer than I’d e