Chapter 246

It was my mother. I quickly walked up to her. "Mom, why are you out here? Shouldn't you be resting a little longer?" She forced a weak smile. "It was getting stuffy in the room. I just wanted some fresh air." I noticed that she looked even paler than before, and her lips were devoid of any color. The echoes of Grandma's curses from my dream still rang in my ears, tightening around my heart like an invisible grip, making it hard to breathe. "I'll walk with you." I gently held her arm. I turned my head and saw Alex watching us with a soft and steady gaze. The golden light of the setting sun cast a glow over him, outlining his tall figure, as if wrapping him in a delicate radiance. For some reason, he felt far away like he belonged to another world entirely. "It's getting late. You should head home," I said, trying to sound as natural as possible, not wanting him to notice anything unusual in my tone. He paused slightly as if he hadn't expected me to say that. His eyes shifted be