Chapter 49: My Heart Hardened

It was dark by the time I awoke to find myself on the floor, the photos of my unborn child still lying in my lap.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but the exhaustion of everything I had been through made me realize that I definitely needed more rest.

I pulled myself up, my joints protesting the movement after being in that awkward position for hours.

After a stretch, I opened the bedroom door and moved to the living room, which was lit only by a small fire. I realized Mary had come in to bring me dinner at some point without me hearing her.

“Tori…”

I jumped in surprise, a small scream escaping me as I turned to find Jace sitting on the sofa.

“Jace,” I said in shock. I looked around, expecting to see Cayden, but there was no sign of him. “What are you doing here?”

Slowly, he rose to his feet, switching on a small lamp that sat on the end table near him.

“Mary came to me earlier because you hadn’t answered her and she was worried. I decided to wait for you to wake up.”