novelraw Chapter 92: Muted Heart
Chapter 92: Muted Heart
Chapter 92: Muted HeartHe held her like he was anchoring something he didn’t know he was about to lose.
And maybe, deep down, some part of him had known. Maybe that was why he couldn’t let go of her earlier.
Why he kissed her like the world was ending. Why he moved inside her like he was trying to carve the feeling into his bones.
But now the space beside him was cold.
Craig’s hand moved across the sheets,
Merlina forced a smile. Played along. Pretended she was just another amused sibling and not someone actively running from the mess in her own life.
But when the ceremony ended, and the kiss was sealed, and the applause started, she felt the weight of it again.
The distraction was over.
She couldn’t hide behind flower arrangements or group chats about wine options anymore. There were no more menus to triple-check. No more things to plan. Just...silence.
That night, back in her room, she finally opened the drawer. Her phone blinked to life. The messages poured in instantly.
Megan:
’Did you die?’
’No seriously, are you alive?’
’If you’re dead, can I have your blue sweater?’
Louis:
’Yo where tf did you go??’
’You just ghosted us like that?’
’You’re being weird. I’m worried.’
Phoebe:
’I had a dream you were kidnapped by a hot stranger in a snowstorm and now I’m starting to think that was just Tuesday for you.’
But then came his name.
Craig Lesnar.
Her stomach flipped. She hesitated. Then opened the thread of messages.
Craig:
’Where did you go?’
’You okay?’
’Did you get your phone?’
’You’re avoiding me now?’
’I just need to know that you’re okay, Merlina.’
She scrolled through the messages with trembling fingers, each one from Craig a blow to the chest. The earlier ones were confused. Then worried. Then quiet. As if he didn’t know what to say anymore.
She hadn’t expected it to hurt this much, seeing the way he’d waited, how gently he reached for her even through silence. Like she hadn’t run out on him in the middle of the night without a word.
She blinked hard, but the screen blurred anyway.
He had cared. He was still caring. While she had been trying to shut it all off like it hadn’t meant anything, he’d been hurting too.
Just then, another notification lit up the screen. A new message. From him.
Craig: If I broke something in you...tell me how to fix it. Please.