Chapter 1155

"Then why hasn't she come for you?"

Sophie looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Maybe she has. Maybe I said no."

Jude turned to her. "Would you tell me if she had?"

Sophie leaned against his shoulder. "Would you believe me if I did?"

He didn't answer.

They sat in silence for a while.

When they returned to camp, the fire was low and the air smelled of smoke and warm bodies. The others were curled together like petals closing in on a flower, Rose and Layla pressed chest to chest, Zoey lying across Susan's lap while Grace ran her fingers through her hair. Natalie and Scarlet were asleep, arms intertwined, faces peaceful. Everything looked normal.

It wasn't.

The only ones still awake were Stella and Lucy. They sat apart from the group, whispering in low voices, eyes flicking now and then to the others.

When Jude and Sophie approached, Lucy stood.

"We know," she said simply.