Chapter 202

Jacob’s POV It felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over me from head to toe. Her words were clear, cool, without a single ripple. Okay, still no. But… compared to how she used to look at me like I was her enemy, or just ignore me outright, now we could at least have a calm conversation. She even said “thank you” to me. Was that… progress? Damn it, I was probably just kidding myself. But even a sliver of hope was enough for me to cling to. I was trying to draw some pitiful warmth from this tiny “improvement” when she asked about Brett. “Jacob, earlier… those people. What did they do to Brett’s grave?” I froze. My throat felt blocked, making it hard to breathe. How could I tell her? Was I supposed to say I watched those bastards dig up your brother’s resting place with shovels, stuff him into a body bag like cargo, and walk away? That I saw it all and couldn’t do a thing? My expression must have betrayed me. Celena’s POV I asked, then fixed my gaze on Jacob’s face. The instant stiffness in his features, the evasion and pain in his eyes, already told me the answer. It was bad. I didn’t wait for him to gather his thoughts. I spun around and sprinted toward that familiar hillside. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, carrying an ominous foreboding. I arrived. Empty. There was only one ugly pit that had been roughly dug up, with fresh, damp soil scattered beside it, and that damaged, brand-new coffin… It’s completely empty inside. Brett He even couldn’t have peace after his death. A crushing wave of guilt and pain washed over me, heavy enough to nearly break me. It wasn’t the same searing, all-consuming grief that had consumed me before, but a deeper, silent agony. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to my knees beside the muddy pit. Tears fell silently, dripping onto the cold earth. Why? Why did this have to happen? Lily’s POV I hadn’t intended to interrupt them. Watching Celena exchange a few words with Jacob, though the atmosphere wasn’t exactly warm, at least they weren’t fighting, I’d secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But in an instant, Celena’s face turned pale, and she sprinted toward Brett’s grave. Ethan came over, wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and whispered what he and Jacob had encountered earlier. Those scentless ones had managed to set traps in advance and steal Brett’s body. Fuck. I couldn’t help cursing inwardly. Just when I thought the faint connection between Jacob and Celena might hold a glimmer of hope, this mess happened. Didn’t this mean we’re back to square one? Did God think we were living too comfortably?