Grace POV

Ethan returns to the room empty-handed.

The wooden box is gone. Hidden somewhere I'm not meant to know about.

Cold weight settles in my chest. Heavy and suffocating.

He's choosing to keep secrets from me. Actively deciding that whatever Elder Laf told him, whatever that box contains, is information I don't deserve.

The realization hurts. Sharp and bitter. Like a blade slipping between my ribs.

But then guilt crashes over me ...