#Chapter 252: Back to Normal

We arrived back at our familiar neighborhood late into the following night. Kendrick's abrupt departure had left an uneasy silence lingering in the air, but Lucas and I were too preoccupied with our own thoughts to dwell on it. Once we got off the private jet, Kendrick had taken off to deal with some business issues. Lucas and I's ride back was quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of passing streetlights providing a relaxing backdrop to our contemplations. It felt surreal to be back in the familiar surroundings of our hometown after the whirlwind of events at the Ethereal Palace. As the car rolled through the streets, I found myself gazing out the window, watching the familiar landmarks pass by in a blur of shadows and streetlights. The sight of the quaint houses and bustling streets that I had known my entire life should have brought me comfort, but instead, it only served to deepen the sense of displacement that had taken root within me. It was a