Caleb Mamet's eyes felt piercingly sore, an exhaustion that made him want to close them. Haunting recollections of his terrified childhood surfaced, turning his lips pale and his breaths quicken.
Even after all these years, thoughts of those dark, intolerable days sent emotional tremors. Back then, Jenny Green had held him captive at Maple House, subjecting him to daily brutality.
He gritted his teeth in the darkness, enduring beatings and verbal abuses. The hatred within him, like a creeping vine, was spreading aggressively, corroding his heart.
The car accident was unleashing those bitter memories, bringing a bad omen. Perhaps …
Caleb rubbed his eyes, they were swollen, but he kept them open out of fear that Xaviera Evans would notice.
Yet, Xaviera saw the exhaustion in his eyes and quietly asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Caleb shook his head, pretended to be calm, but there was an uncharacteristic warmth in his deep-set eyes.