A Bond Beyond Death

CHAPTER FOUR - THE WAIT

CAELAN'S POV

I've never been able to sleep through the fifteenth. I always wake up before dawn.

I do not need an alarm because I have never needed one. It feels like my body knows about the day, although my mind wishes it would forget. The air in the morning has got some heaviness, as if everything is stopping to catch its breath.

I sit up slowly, resting my elbows on my knees. For a moment, I simply stare at my shaking hands until they finally settle. Everything around me has moved forward, but here I remain.

She's close.

The thought sinks into my chest with a familiar feeling of heaviness. Not surprise. Just the sense of being certain about something. Something I’ve known for a long time now.

I walk towards the mirror, my hands moving on instinct as my fingers press lightly against the scar beneath my ribs. Pale. Healed. But still there.

One night. One mistake. A body that stopped breathing when it wasn't supposed to. Some things don't fade. They simply learn to stay silent.

I take a deep breath and gaze outside through the window. It is dark outside beyond the glass.

Another year. Same day. Same draw. Just that this time it seems different.

My phone buzzes beside me. I turn from the mirror and pick it up. My secretary's name appears on the screen.

She wouldn't be calling unless it was important.

“There's a problem at the site,” she said, calm and precise, without a hint of fear.

I rubbed my thumb against the scar beneath my ribs out of habit. “What kind of problem?” I asked evenly.

“A piece of machinery has broken. The crew is not able to repair it without your permission,” she replied.

“I'm coming.”

The silence stretched out for another second before she continued. “You're heading into Crescent Falls?”

I let the silence stretch before I answered. “Yes.”

I hung up the phone. It took me almost an hour to get dressed and prepared.

The door clicked open behind me without a knock. “You're going into town again.” He wasn't asking.

“A piece of machinery has broken at the company. They need my approval,” I said, adjusting my cufflinks.

He studied me for a second in a way that one can only study another when one has known each other too long. "This happens every year to you on this exact date… Nothing ever changes…" He stopped in mid-sentence. "Neither does her memory."

I raised my eyes to meet his, my jaw tightened, giving him a cold look, mixed with pain that I didn't bother hiding.

He saw it, he felt it. Of course, he did, he always did.

“You could have made the repairs over the phone, but you didn't.”

For a moment, I stayed silent, thinking of what to say. “Today will be different... I can feel it. And I know you can too,” I said, my fingers brushing the scar beneath my shirt once again.

He exhaled slowly. “So... today will be different…It has to be.” His eyes flicked to my fingers lingering over the scar beneath my shirt. A slight smirk tugged at his lips. “I don't know why, but I believe you, I always do.”

I didn't respond. The silence between us always carried more weight than words. He stepped aside, clearing the doorway. “I'll have the car ready.”

I passed him without another word.

The road from my mansion to the company was quiet, far enough from town to remind me why I preferred it that way. The company sat close to the heart of Crescent Falls. The town waited, and somewhere between business and destiny lay my fate.

An hour later, the quiet of my estate was replaced by steel, noise, motion, and the sharp scent of oil.

The facility smelled of oil and hot metal. Machines vibrated steadily as I walked through. The moment I stepped into the main office, my presence drew the attention of every worker nearby.

“The Report,” I said.

My secretary stepped forward, a tablet in hand.

“The automated press malfunctioned, the damage was contained, but it will not operate until your approval is granted.”

“Show me the damage,” I said, my gaze moving over the metal and cold steel around us.

She led me to the press. Cracks appeared along the support beams. I ran my finger over the steel. “Full replacements, no shortcuts.”

“I've already notified the lead team,” she replied calmly, her eyes sharp.

“And the timeline?”

“Four days. It'll be up and running by then.”

I paused briefly, my gaze sweeping across the facility. “Three days. Fully operational.”

I waited for her response. She nodded, her expression unchanged.

I didn't comment further. I turned towards the exit, glancing at her. “Keep me updated, and call if any other issues arise before I leave town.”

I stepped outside, glancing once more at the facility, allowing my thoughts to drift to what was waiting for me in town.

The drive into town was quiet, too quiet, the kind that allows old memories to creep in.

We pulled up across from the bar, and the engine fell silent. I stayed in the car, my eyes fixed on the door, waiting.

A familiar car slowed and pulled up to the curb, where she stepped out. She laughed and hugged her uncle, completely unaware that someone was watching. Her movements were effortless. The warmth in her voice as she laughed and spoke filled the quiet street.

My fingers tightened around the armrest for a moment, a reminder that I was here. Waiting.

I remained in the car, silent, my eyes tracking her every movement. My assistant leaned against the car door, giving me a look I was too distracted to interpret.

She lingered for a moment, exchanging pleasantries before heading inside. The bell above the door jingled softly, and I finally let myself breathe, just enough to ease the tightness in my chest.

I followed shortly after, stepping into the bar. The air smelled of whiskey.

And there she was. Moving between the tables, attending to customers as though it were second nature, completely unaware of me. I couldn't bring myself to call her over to take my order.