Chapter 33
I pulled my coat tighter around myself as I stepped outside. The air was crisp, cool against my skin, but inside, I still felt sick and burning. If Cameron wouldn’t cook for me, then I’d just do it myself.
I could recreate that dish he once made. I had watched him carefully back then–memorizing every flick of his wrist, every small touch he added to the food.
Maybe I could do it. I wasn’t that helpless anymore.
These days, my eating disorder had improved. I could manage small meals without spiraling. But stress… still made the old demons creep back.
Pushing the thoughts aside, 1 made my way to the nearest grocery store. I wandered the aisles, carefully picking out ingredients—chicken broth, fresh vegetables, herbs, the exact ones I remembered him using.”
Maybe if I cooked it myself, I’d be able to eat tonight. I was reaching for a bundle of parsley when a too–familiar voice called out behind me,”
“Lily!”
Katie’s voice was cheerful, too bright for the way my stomach dropped at the sound of it.§
I turned slowly, forcing a neutral expression onto my face.
Katie bounded toward me, shopping basket swinging on her arm, her hair bouncing perfectly with every step. Cameron trailed behind her–of course.@
“I was worried about you,” Katie said breathlessly. “I asked Cameron to follow you… just in case you needed help!” She smiled shyly, like she was offering a precious gift.
“And I was thinking, maybe we can cook together? What do you say? Cameron can teach us both!“}
I blinked at her.
Cook together? With her? With him standing there, pretending like he wasn’t part of why I couldn’t breathe right now
“I don’t need your help,” I said coolly, stepping past her.
I didn’t miss the way her face crumpled behind me. But I didn’t stop.
As I moved away, I still heard their conversation, low and painful like a knife twisting in my gut.
“Why is she like that?” Katie whispered, hurt clear in her voice. “I’m trying so hard for her to like me… but ever since we were little, she’s hated me. I know it’s because I’m an illegitimate child. I ruined her family…”
My steps faltered for half a second. But then Cameron’s voice cut through, firm and comforting. “No, Katie. It’s not your fault. Lily’s always been like that. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowed the lump in my throat, and kept walking.”
I tried to focus on my list, tried to remember which aisle had the rice noodles I needed, when suddenly a loud alarm blared overhead.}
Someone had pulled the fire alarm.D
Panic swept through the store like wildfire. People screamed. Shopping carts were abandoned. Baskets clattered to the ground.}
In the chaos, someone slammed into my side, sending me sprawling to the floor. Pain flared in my knees and palms as I hit the cold, hard tiles.
A can of tomatoes rolled toward me, hitting my shin sharply. I gasped, clutching my leg.}
People rushed past me, not even glancing down.
I struggled to sit up, trying to call out, but my voice was drowned out by the stampede of terrified customers.
And then through the throng of bodies I saw him.
Cameron. He was looking around frantically, searching.”
My heart leapt. I opened my mouth to call him, to scream for him-
But his eyes passed right over me.
He didn’t see me. He only saw Katie.
She was a few feet away, frozen in fear.”
Without hesitation, he ran toward her.
“Katie!” he shouted.
I watched, helpless, as he reached her, scooping her into his arms protectively.
At that same moment, a shelf wobbled dangerously above them. A cascade of canned goods and heavy packs tumbled down.!!
Katie screamed.
But Cameron shielded her with his own body, taking the brunt of it. The heavy cans hit him across the back and shoulders–hard. He grunted in pain but didn’t move away from her.
“Oh no! You’re hurt because of me!” Katie sobbed, her hands fluttering helplessly around him. “I’m sorry!”
Cameron laughed softly, brushing her hair back from her face despite the blood trickling from a cut on his temple.!
“It’s okay,” he said, voice gentle and firm. “Even if I got hurt a hundred times… I’d still do it, as long as you’re safe.”
41111
AL
12.15 PM
I pressed a hand against my mouth, the pain blooming inside me so fiercely it felt like I might vomit again.%
They ran together toward the emergency exit, Cameron still shielding her, limping slightly.
And me? I was left there on the floor. Another shelf, loosened by the earlier commotion, creaked above me.%
Before I could even register it, something heavy crashed down against my shoulder. The last thing I saw was the fluorescent lights blurring above me as darkness pulled me under.
