Chapter 51

ELORA'S POV I'd been ready to call the day dull and boring. But then Lila showed up at the park unexpectedly, giggling and holding my hand as if we've known each other for a long time. I didn't expect to grow this fond of her so quickly, but somehow, she'd made me forget how lonely I get when Nora is not with me. After I got home, I undressed and soak myself inside the bath tub, letting the steam from the water wrap around me, the warm water wet my skin, easing away all the stress of the day. I scrubbed my hair clean with shampoo and rinsed it until it was clean enough. Then I changed into something soft and comfy after drying my body. I grabbed a fresh towel and dried my hair, humming to myself as I thought about what to make for dinner. I'd barely stepped into the kitchen when my phone buzzed. “Uncle?” I answered, balancing the phone on my shoulder as I opened the fridge. “Elora,” his voice was low, careful, the way it gets when he's trying not to sound worried. “You’re not going to