Chapter 279 : Hunted

*Shelby*

The angry throb of my ankle pulsed through me like a second heartbeat, demanding attention as I carefully propped it onto the dashboard, wincing at the slightest movement. The skin was stretched tight, shiny, and grotesquely swollen to twice its normal size. Each bump in the road sent a fresh wave of pain shooting up my leg, but I gritted my teeth against the sensation, refusing to let out even a whimper.

Michael's hands were steady on the wheel, his jaw set in that familiar way that told me he was deep in thought, or more likely, avoiding the conversation. Our silent ride was thick with tension, his eyes fixed ahead as though the very act of acknowledging me would bring about the need to discuss the things he wasn’t willing to admit out loud.