?Chapter 151:


    Just then, Christina and Davina walked over, catching Chloe’s question.


    “Did you each get your own guest room?”


    After Chloe’s question, silence fell. Utter, deafening silence.


    Chloe couldn’t read the room—her sight hadn’t returned. She only felt the weight of the stillness, her brows knitting together in quiet confusion. Why the sudden silence?


    Ralphy finally broke the silence, his voice a shade too loud in the hushed space. “Well, obviously, everyone gets their own room. No way I’m bunking with another dude.”


    To mask his unease, Ralphy ducked his head and focused on his bowl, spooning the rich porridge into his mouth. Surprisingly, it was delicious—Dn had outdone himself. He hadn’t nned on eating much, but after that first bite, he couldn’t stop.


    Elliott sank into a chair without a word. His expression was frosted over, unreadable, as he reached for a bowl of the in porridge and began eating.


    Christina approached to do the same, but just as her hand hovered over the in fare, Dn quietly slid the heartier version in front of her. “I made this one for you,” he said evenly, moving the in porridge in front of himself.


    Davina let out a soft chuckle, unbothered, and settled into her seat with a bowl of the in fare.


    Only then did it hit Dn—he’d only prepared two hearty bowls,pletely forgetting about Davina.


    Still baffled by the awkward silence, Chloe tried again, her voice light but deliberate. “Did you sleep well herest night, Mr. Hubbard?”


    Elliott just lifted a spoonful to his mouth. Every gaze in the room suddenly turned to him with Chloe’s question, as though he’d stepped into a spotlight. “Yes.” He hesitated for a few seconds before continuing, “I slept quitefortably.”


    Across the table, Christina’s memory red with the image of Elliott and Dn embracing in their sleep from the night before. She quickly lowered her head and busied herself with her meal, hoping no one noticed the pink in her cheeks.


    ??a????????ν???????????????


    “That’s good to hear. If there’s anything our hospitalitycks, do hope you’ll forgive us,” Chloe said with a warm, practiced smile.


    Elliott blinked. He hadn’t expected such grace from her—he’d assumed she’d carry herself with an air of untouchable pride. “Everything’s fine,” he murmured, his voice barely brushing the air.


    And just like that, the silence crept back in.


    Chloe tilted her head, trying to catch a clue in the quiet. It was unusual—Ralphy, the ever-chatty whirlwind, had gone still, his silence stretching unnaturally long. Was something happening beneath the surface, something she couldn’t see? The not-knowing gnawed at her. With her sight still absent, she was shut out from their faces, their subtle cues, the silent stories told through nces. It made her feel disconnected.


    Thinking about the possibility of dying anytime soon made Chloe’s mood drop. But she caught herself before she spiraled. She thought of Christina—of theirughter at the amusement park, the carefree snapshots captured in bursts of joy. She couldn’t see the photos right now, but in her heart, she knew they must’ve been glowing with happiness. That day had been full of light. The memory kindled a spark inside her, warm and steady.


    “Christina, can we go shopping today?” Chloe asked, her voice brightening as she turned toward the gentle sounds she associated with her friend.


    .


    .


    .