Chapter 225
The sound of screeching brakes felt like it might split Dorothea’s head open. She wasn’t even sure why she was there, only that it seemed to be somewhere near her old school.
She stared at the twisted metal of the car, the body crushed and the windows shattered. She couldn’t make out the driver’s face, but shards of glass were stuck in his cheek, blood everywhere.
Dorothea jolted awake, gasping for air. Sweat soaked through her nightgown, and her heart was pounding. It took a moment to realize it had just been a nightmare, but it felt so real, almost like a memory she’d tried to forget.
There was something oddly familiar about the man’s bloodied face.
She looked out the window at the pitch-black sky. A sudden thought struck her. When Latham had his accident, did the sky look this heavy to him too, like the world was pressing in on all sides?
A dull ache settled in her chest.
Right then, she missed him so much she could barely stand it. She just wanted to hear his voice, to know how he’d managed all those years alone.
For the first time since they got married, Dorothea felt overwhelmed by longing. She didn’t hesitate. She picked up her phone and dialed his number.
It rang for three seconds before he answered.
“Dorothea, is something wrong?” His voice was rough with sleep. She could tell she’d woken him up.
Dorothea hugged her knees, pressing her phone close. “Latham, when are you coming back p>
He sounded surprised at first, then let out a low laugh that warmed her chest. “Did you miss me p>
Maybe she was still a little shaken, but she didn’t bother denying it. “Yeah, a little p>
“A little?” She could almost hear his smile. “Just a little? Maybe I should go on more business trips, give you more chances to miss me p>
“So, when are you coming back?” she asked again.
He paused, and she could feel his heartbeat even through the silence.
“My flight’s the day after tomorrow. I land at six-thirty in the evening. Head to the Stephens Estate first, Dad wants us there for dinner. I’ll go straight after I get off the plane. You don’t need to pick me up, Aldin’s coming p>
Dorothea pouted, though he couldn’t see her. “I never said I was going to pick you up p>
He laughed, a soft sound that made her chest loosen. “Right, you didn’t say it. I’m just being wishful. That’s on me p>
He yawned. “It’s three in the morning. Get some sleep, workaholic. Aren’t you taking tomorrow off p>
Dorothea lay back down, feeling comforted and warm all over. “I’m going to sleep now. Hanging up p>
“Goodnight, Dorothea p>
“Goodnight p>
In the darkness, Latham stared at her name on his screen, rubbing his thumb over it again and again.
Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to care about him, even if it was only a little.
Dorothea arrived at her old school right on time to meet Jared.
He handed her a gift, smiling. “Dorothea, congratulations. Happy wedding. It’s not much, just a little something from me p>
“Thank you, Jared.” She meant it. He had cared for her once, like she was his own daughter.
Jared waved her off. “No need to thank me Honestly, I still can’t believe you and Latham ended up together. Anyway, you should get going won’t keep you Look at this stack of papers I still have to grade p>
Dorothea laughed. Even now, it all felt a little surreal.
She walked out of the building, turned a corner, and suddenly remembered the old red brick wall.
Since she was thinking about it, she went to take a look.
She wasn’t the only one there. A boy in a school uniform was crouched by the wall, carving something into the bricks with careful strokes.
Dorothea didn’t want to interrupt, but
a twig snapped under her foot. The boy turned around, startled. When he saw her unfamiliar face, Let out
a breath of relief.
“You scared me. Do you know how creepy it is to stand behind someone without saying anything p>
Dorothea apologized, trying not to smile.
He gave her a sideways glance. “You don’t look like a teacher p>
“No, I’m not,” Dorothea said. “I probably graduated about ten years ahead of you p>
The boy grumbled, “What’s with you people? Everyone’s coming here looking for the name of some old crush they wrote on the wall years ago p>
“Everyone?” Dorothea picked up on that right away.
“Yeah. Two weeks ago, some guy showed up Said he was sixteen years ahead of me. And today, here you are, ten years ahead. Seriously, don’t bother looking. This wall’s got so many names on it, you can barely see the bricks anymore. That guy from before was the worst. There was barely any space left, but he still squeezed in another name. Grown man, too p>