Unwanted Blood (Harper) novel Chapter 91

Chapter 91

I sat at the dining table with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast that Lily had made. I ate slowly

My phone screen lit up and went dark, over and over. Notifications came in-schedule changes from the community centre, a message from Lily asking if I wanted to go shopping this afternoon. I replied to a few, then set the phone down.

But I kept checking the time without meaning to.

8:35. 8:42. 8:50.

I did the math in my head. From the safe house to the airport, forty minutes without traffic. If I left before nine-thirty, I could catch him before check-in closed.

But I didn’t move. I sat there, picking up the glass of milk, putting it back down. It had gone cold.

Lily was talking to Ethan at the other end of the table. Now that the news had landed, everyone seemed to breathe a little easier. Lily and Ethan were closer than I’d seen them in a while.

Ryder was in the living room on the phone, handling follow-up logistics. Colton was typing on his laptop, probably drafting the press coordination.

Everyone had something to do. Except me.

my

I sat there with my cold milk and realised something clearly: this thing was over. But life hadn’t snapped back into place the way I’d expected. There was a gap, and I had no idea what to do with that emptiness.

At the end, I stood up and walked back into my room, closing the door behind me. I I leaned against it for a few seconds. Then I walked to the wardrobe, opened it. The dark blue jacket I’d worn last night was still draped over the chair. I stared at it for about ten seconds. Then I reached out and took it off the chair.

I put the jacket on, grabbed my phone and keys, opened the door, and walked out.

Everyone in the living room looked up.

Ryder spoke first. “Where are you going?”

I was at the entryway, putting on my shoes. “Out.”

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11:45

Chapter 91

Ryder put his phone down and stood. “I’ll drive you.”

I tied my laces, stood up, and reached for the door handle. “No need. I’ll go by myself”

I opened the door and walked out. Didn’t look back.

The door clicked shut behind me.

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Inside, the living room went quiet for a moment. Then Colton closed his laptop, stood, and walked to the window to look down. He saw me walking quickly toward the road, raising my hand to flag down a taxi.

He turned back and met Ryder’s eyes.

Ryder didn’t say anything. But his fingers tightened around his phone.

The taxi crawled through traffic. Stop and go.

I sat in the back seat, watching the street outside blur past. My mind was blank. I wasn’t thinking about what I’d say once I got there. I wasn’t thinking about what I’d do if he’d already gone through security.

I just had a strong, non-negotiable instinct: if I didn’t go now, I would regret it.

The taxi pulled into the airport departure level at 9:56.

I paid, got out, and walked quickly into the terminal.

The departure hall was crowded. I stood in front of the electronic board, scanned for his flight, found the check-in counter, and headed in that direction.

I moved through the crowd, around baggage carts, and reached the check-in area. There were several lines. I scanned the faces in each one. No Adrian.

I turned and headed toward the security checkpoint, my pace quickening.

I passed a coffee shop, a bookstore, a duty-free shop. I was looking left and right as I walked, faster and faster-almost collided with a woman pushing a stroller. I sidestepped, mumbled an apology, and kept going.

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