Page 35 of Fallen Empire
Ben looked like he didn’t know whether to be amused or concerned as he took a step back, giving her space to eat. Nic cracked the barest smile. And me?
I just breathed. Because for one small second, she wasn’t spiraling.
She wasn’t breaking. She was just hangry.
And somehow, seeing her finally put food into her body gave me hope.
Hope that maybe, just maybe, everything might be okay.
Nic stood, brushing imaginary lint from her jeans as she grabbed her keys off the side table. “I’m gonna grab some food. Anyone want anything?”
I glanced at Millie, who had already inhaled half the pasta in front of her like it was her first meal in a week. It almost was. Her cheeks were full, her eyes still locked on the garlic bread like it had personally rescued her from a burning building.
My stomach gave a low, audible growl.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “Grab me something. Surprise me.”
Because for the first time in days, I felt like I could eat, too.
Nic turned her eyes to Ben. “You?”
Ben didn’t look up right away. When he did, his stare was sharp—aimed directly at her like a silent shot fired across the room.
“No, Nic,” he said flatly. “I’m good.” There was a warning in his voice. Subtle, but unmistakable.
Millie didn’t notice. Too busy chasing the last bit of Alfredo sauce around the container like it owed her money.
But I noticed. And Nic definitely did.
She paused a beat too long. Then she shrugged, unfazed. “Suit yourself.”
And with that, she was gone.
I shifted my weight, trying to ignore the thick, quiet tension she left behind. But it was too loud. The kind that pressed in on you. Made your skin itch. And Millie wasn’t helping.
She was tearing through garlic bread like it was her last meal. And maybe, in some way, it was. The last normal bite before the world split open again.
I glanced her way. “When she’s stable enough to be discharged… she’ll come home with me.”
Millie didn’t look up right away. Just set her food down slowly, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand… then turned.
“Excuse me?”
“I already talked to the doctor. He said she’ll need help—someone with her around the clock. I said I’d do it.”
Her jaw locked. “You said that? Without even talking to me?”
“I’m not letting her be alone.”
“And you think I’d let her be?” she snapped. “You think I wouldn’t drop everything to take care of her?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“No, but it’s sure as hell what you implied.”
I let out a breath, trying to level my voice. “I’m trying to make this easier, Millie.”
“For who?” she shot back, rising to her feet. “For her, or for you?”
