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Chapter 17
A thunderstorm raged outside, rain lashing against the windows in violent sheets.
Lightning flickered through the cracks in the curtains, illuminating the dark room in flashes of cold white light.
Savannah jolted awake with a gasp, drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe.
It took her a few moments to ground herself, to realize she was safe. The shadows weren’t closing in. Not this time.
Once her vision adjusted, she turned and saw the framed photo of her sister on the nightstand. Her throat tightened, and for a moment, all she could do was sit there, staring, letting the ache spread.
www
Eventually, she made her way downstairs, craving something to numb the chaos in her chest. She opened the fridge, reaching for whatever bottle was closest–anything strong.
But before her hand could close around it, another hand–larger, pale, steady–pressed the fridge door shut.
Startled, Savannah looked up and found herself face–to–face with Ben.
Sharp jaw, lean features, that calm intensity in his eyes–he hadn’t changed.
She scowled. “Seriously, Ben? Sneaking up on people in the middle of the night?”
He raised a brow, voice casual. “So it’s true, then.”
“What’s true?” she asked, clearly not following.
Instead of answering, Ben pressed a warm mug of milk into her hands.
She blinked down at it, confused, but his expression held no room for argument.
“You really thought my mom just randomly decided we’d stay in town for a while?” he asked, lips curling with amusement.
“It was your mom. She told us everything.”
Savannah froze.
“I knew something was wrong the first time I saw you again,” Ben continued, softer now. “You used to smile all the time. But in the month I’ve been here, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you even try.”
“You can’t sleep, so you drink. But that’s not helping anything. Try the milk. If that doesn’t work, I’ll keep showing up until you break the habit.”
Savannah just stared at him. She’d never seen him talk this much in one sitting.
By the time she processed his words, her eyes were already glassing over.
Ben stopped short, concern flickering across his face. His tone dropped immediately. “Wait–did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head, unable to stop the tears this time. Watching him panic and fumble around for tissues only made her laugh through
the tears.
“No, Ben. I’m not mad,” she sniffled. “I just… I’ve been so selfish.”
“The one who really deserves care is my mom. She lost even more than I did.”
That thought had kept her awake more nights than she could count. Her mother always acted composed–gentle, smiling, calm. But Savannah could see the grief in her eyes, the sorrow buried so deep it felt permanent.
And the worst part? She didn’t even know how to help her. She could barely hold herself together.
Today was Emily’s death anniversary.
She just wanted one night where it didn’t hurt so much. Maybe the alcohol would help. Just a little.
Chapter 17
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them–just to be ready for
Ben’s smile faded, replaced by quiet seriousness.
“Your mom might be dealing with clinical depression,” he said gently. “If left untreated, it can get dangerous.”
Savannah’s face paled. “Is… is there anything we can do?”
Ben nodded and reached into his bag, pulling out a license card.
“I’m certified. If you trust me, I’d like to help.”
Something shifted in Savannah’s expression. A flicker of hope.
She held onto the mug a little tighter and walked away slowly, shoulders a touch less tense a
than before.
Once she was out of earshot, Carol stepped out from the hallway, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
“You said those certifications were useless,” she teased. “You tore the house apart two this?”
Ben didn’t even try to deny it. “Well, now I get to help Mrs. Doyle. That’s something, isn’t Carol rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
“Fine. I’ll let you have your little moment. Just don’t pretend you’re not in love with her.
looking for
Chapter 17
