#Chapter 172: Loss. Again.

DEREK I would have liked to have thought she was joking. The way she blinked at me, eyes wide and curious, didn’t feel real. Like she was playing some sort of trick. Maybe testing me. Maybe still mad. But then she tilted her head, brows knitting softly in confusion, and turned to Jacob. “Who is he?” A blade of ice sliced through my ribs. Jacob stiffened beside me. He glanced between Elena and me, probably seeing the color drain from my face. It felt like my lungs had collapsed, like every ounce of air had been pulled from the room. “Hey, Aiden,” Jacob said suddenly, crouching next to my son. His voice was too light, too casual. “You know what? I think the vending machines down the hall have those gummy worms you like. Want to come check?” Aiden blinked, surprised. “Now?” Jacob smiled and ruffled his hair. “Yeah, now. My treat. You’ve been so brave this week—I think you’ve earned it.” Aiden looked up at Elena. “Can I, Mom?” And Elena—Elena, who looked at me like