CHAPTER 198

- KATE -

I see no surprise. I’m still looking but I see nothing. No sign of anyone present, no decorations. No sign of a gift or anything of that matter.

Is this the kind of surprise welcome that’s meant to be hidden at first then revealed later or am I stuck in my delusion? Is he even around?

My heart sinks. The house seems empty. I clench my fingers around my phone, still searching while calling his name. I’m still hanging on to the hope that what he texted me was true. That he couldn’t pick me up because he planned something big for me. That he’s here, waiting like he said.

I feel my eyes water. The more I walk through these desolate corridors, the more doubt fogs my mind. The sadder I become. It’s almost as if I’m engaged to myself.

Doesn’t Killian care about me? About my feelings? Even for the slightest bit. Everything seems so-

“Hey.”

I flinch at the sound of the voice I so desperately wanted to hear. I turn around slowly.