Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 62

Wrapped in a towel, Kaelani moved through the motions—dressing in a soft tee and jeans, nothing fancy. Just enough to feel covered. Present. Human.

She stood at the bathroom mirror, brushing her teeth, then patting her face dry before smoothing on a light layer of moisturizer. Her skin care routine was simple, practiced, automatic. A small act of control in a world where everything else felt unsteady.

She parted her hair with deft fingers and began weaving it into a braid.

Tight.

Neat.

Contained.

Just like her.

Because now wasn’t the time to fall apart.

Now was the time to stuff all those feelings back into the box they came from.

To seal the lid.

To lock it tight.

She’d learned a long time ago—weakness was dangerous.

The world didn’t feel sorry for the broken.

It didn’t offer kindness or healing.

It sent vultures.

And vultures didn’t just feed on pain.

They exploited it.

Used it to twist the knife.

To shatter what little strength you had left.

And that…

That was one thing she would never give anyone the power to do.

Kaelani locked the door behind her and stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sky still bruised with shades of lavender and pale gray. She drew her coat tighter around herself and crossed the quiet street to the bakery.

Saturday.

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