Chapter 85: Perfect Ambush

(Celia's POV)

The fire burned low, its flickering embers casting faint, restless shadows across the clearing. The night air carried the scent of charred wood and damp earth, wrapping around us like a silent embrace.

I was beside Jess, her body curled inward, as if trying to fold into herself. Her red hair fell over her face in uneven strands, hiding the expression I already knew was there. Shoulders trembling. Breath uneven. Silent grief, the kind that settled deep and refused to leave.

I already lowered myself beside her, my arms wrapped around her frame.. not too tight, not too loose. Just enough for her to know she wasn't alone.

I knew it wouldn't fix anything. But in times like these, comfort wasn't about fixing. It was about being there.

I ran my fingers slowly through her hair, feeling the slight dampness from the cold night air, the soft strands slipping between my fingers. The fire crackled, a whispering sound against the quiet.