Page 33 of Framed and Forgotten
“I’m counting on that,”I replied, feeling an ounce of relief.
But Col hadn’t forgiven me for blocking him out.“If only you’d listened to me from the start,”he spat.“Maybe then, we could’ve worked with mate instead of behind her back.”
“You’re right,”I acknowledged, the guilt in my stomach growing.“I’m sorry. Please, help me fix this.”
“Not for you,”he emphasized.“For mate.”
“Fair enough.”
Settled on what I had to do, I glanced at my phone one last time. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed Avril had already read my message, though she didn’t bother replying to it. With shaky hands, I turned off the device, knowing I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if she tried calling me. I needed to focus, so I could finish this as soon as possible and get back to her.
As I left my room, every step felt heavier than the last. I didn’t know where I was going, exactly, but I knew I had to keep moving. I couldn’t sit still in the quiet of my thoughts any longer. The walls of this place, once a sanctuary to my foggy mind, now felt like a trap. The kind of trap I had deliberately walked into.
When I reached the private dining hall, I saw her immediately - Nerine. She stood by the window, her silhouette framed by the soft light pouring in. She looked serene, almost ethereal. I hated that I still felt drawn to her, that the sight of her could make my pulse quicken. Even with everything I now knew, it was an involuntary response.
She turned toward me as I entered, a smile curling on her lips. "Good morning, Koen," she said, her voice soft and melodic, the kind that always made me forget the world around me. “I’m glad we’ll have you for breakfast one last time before you leave.”
I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, trying to push aside the tangled mess of emotions. I cleared my throat, shifting my weight as I tried to force the words out. “I thought about what you suggested last night, and I…I think I could stay a little longer.”
Her eyes widened for a moment, just a flash of surprise before it was replaced with something that was almost too eager. Her smile grew wider, her gaze softening, the perfect picture of someone who had gotten what they wanted.
“Of course!” she said without hesitation. "Stay as long as you want to.”
There was no trace of doubt in her voice, no second thoughts. Just the same, smooth affability that made everything seem so effortless. But this time, I wasn’t blind to the red flags anymore - something was off. She hadn’t even asked about Avril, like she usually would. It was as if she didn’t care, or maybe she was just too confident in whatever game she was playing.
“I’m sure breakfast is almost ready,” she announced, making her way toward the kitchen door, already reaching for the handle. Then, as if a thought just occurred to her, she turned back, eyes gleaming. “Oh, and while I’m at it, what would you like to drink?”
The question was so familiar, so routine - but today, it hit me differently.
I couldn’t help but think about every drink she’d offered me since we started hanging out, always with that knowing smile; that air of sweetness. At first, I had no reason to question it. I thought she was simply being polite and welcoming. From the cups of coffee she’d served me at her house to the milkshake at the amusement park, I’d always accepted them so easily, and each time, they seemed to accompany a change of heart from me - a willingness to be around her a little longer.
To trust her.
Even when Elias brought me the hot chocolate at the beginning of the family reunion… I was determined to return to Azure Smoke that night. Yet, shortly after downing the last sip, it suddenly sounded like a better idea to stay.
Is she spiking my drinks?
I stopped and let the silence hang between us, watching her expectantly. She tilted her head, a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes. Although she didn’t push me, it was obvious I was taking too long to answer her, and it would soon become suspicious.
"I don’t really feel like drinking anything right now," I said, my voice firm despite my inner uncertainty.
The shift in her expression was immediate. Although barely perceptible, it was there. For a moment, her smile faltered - just the briefest twitch of her lips. I almost convinced myself I hadn’t seen it, but I had. The mask slipped, just for a second.
She recovered quickly, though, her expression snapping back to the usual cheerfulness that now made me sick. After a nod, she walked into the kitchen, moving with that same effortless grace. Once she was gone, I exhaled, as if I’d only just come up for air. The emotions I had fought to suppress surged forward, guilt and shame drowning out everything else. I had let this woman weave herself so deep into my mind that even now, with every part of me screaming to break free, I couldn’t fully trust myself. But I was ready to turn the tables.
If this was a game to her, so be it - I’d make damn sure she lost.
22
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A V R I L
I lost track ofhow long I stood there in the middle of the town square, staring at the screen of my phone.
Time stood still as I read the message over and over again, trying and failing to accept it. Was it just a nightmare? It felt too cruel to be real. Although Koen hadn’t been himself lately, I struggled to believe he would deliver such news so casually.
Koen isn’t coming back, I let the fact sink in. Once again, he’d changed the plan without consulting me. We hadn’t talked in a week since he left to stay with his ex-wife, and he decided he hadn’t had enough, all he did was text me - to inform me, nothing more. No phone call. Not even a half-assed explanation.
