Chapter 53 Wanting Him

• Celine POV
• The moment I stepped out of the car, a wave of icy stares greeted me, each pair of eyes piercing through me like daggers. Their whispers were like a current, growing stronger and louder as the small crowd began to gather behind us. The weight of their judgment pressed heavily against my chest, leaving me feeling like an outsider in a place that should hold safety.
• Dolton walked ahead, his shoulders tense but purposeful, as he led us into the packhouse. The interior was dim, the worn wooden floors creaking beneath our steps. He quickly showed us to a room, his words clipped and distant. Without waiting for a reply, he left, shutting the door behind him with a finality that felt deliberate.