Chapter Twenty-Two
I tried to stop reality from crashing back down around me as I walked toward Bloom Dome. But without Alec to distract me, I couldn’t keep the grief from pushing its way back into my chest.
I’d known the moment I got in the truck to come to the Arcadia Domes I would never see Mom or Jaime again. But knowing they were out there in the world had somehow made it seem less definitive and hopeless. Even though I’d never see them or talk to them again, I hadn’t felt so utterly alone.
I pulled Alec’s handkerchief back out of my pocket, brushing away a fresh round of tears. I needed to look calm for Mari. I couldn’t let her guess why I needed to hold her so tight.
My legs ached like I’d just run for hours as I climbed the steps to Bloom Dome. I wondered if my muscles had give
