My throat tightened painfully as I forced back a sob. Gritting my teeth, I choked out, "Rowan… Grandma passed away. Where are you?"
I heard the sudden panic in his voice. "Amara, I'll be there soon. Please… please don't cry."
I knelt by the coffin, surrounded by the quiet stillness of winter. The snow was falling gently, its cold touch seeping into my bones as I waited for Rowan.
In a low voice, he whispered, "Amara, I'm sorry… I'm late."
My eyes stung as I looked up, words hovering on my lips, ready to break free. But just then, I heard a voice that froze me to the core.
"Rowan..."
The sound lodged in my throat, trapping everything I wanted to say. Turning my head, I found myself staring into the face of Madeline.
Rowan stood up quickly. He took the scarf he had been holding and carefully wrapped it around her neck. "It's freezing out here and you just had surgery. Why did you go outside like this?"
His tone held a hint of anxiousness, a familiar note that reminded me so much of how he used to sound when he was worried about me.