The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Chapter 21: Ember Still Glows

"You like it?" Khai's voice was soft beside me.

I simply nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the view. Then, curiosity got the best of me. "Whose cabin is this?"

She hesitated for a brief second before answering, "It was my father's."

I frowned, confused. "Lucan?"

Khai exhaled, a small sigh escaping her lips. "No. Frederick."

I froze, her words settling in like a slow-burning realization. Frederick? My mind raced with a dozen questions, but I held them back. I wasn't sure I was ready for the answers.

Before I could speak, a voice called out from the cabin.

"Khalise."

We both turned as the front door opened, revealing a familiar figure.

"Come on in—I wasn't expecting you tonight," she said before her gaze landed on me. Her expression shifted to one of recognition, then warmth.

"Rain, right?" She smiled before pulling me into an unexpected hug. "It's nice seeing you again. The last time I saw you was years ago... back when Khai was in the hospital."

I barely registered her words. My mind was still struggling to catch up—to process the fact that Khalise Stanton was standing in front of me. The last time I remembered her, she was part of Tanaka's revenge plan.

Yet here she was, greeting me like an old friend.

We settled into the cozy living room of the cabin, the warmth from the fireplace casting a soft glow over the room. The atmosphere was calm, almost peaceful—something I hadn't felt in a long time. Khalise made her way to the kitchen, offering to prepare some tea, while I leaned back, allowing the quiet to settle around me.

Moments later, Khai returned from the kitchen, her presence a steady comfort. Without a word, she knelt down in front of me, her hands gently removing my shoes. I winced slightly as she touched my bruised feet, but she worked with care, applying medicine to the sore spots with a tenderness that made my chest tighten. I watched her every move, the familiar warmth of her touch sending an unspoken message straight to my heart.

Khalise, having returned to the living room, observed us quietly before speaking up. "Does Granpa know that she's here?" Her voice was laced with an almost cautious curiosity, like she was trying to gauge something in Khai's response.

Khai didn't answer at first, her attention still on my feet as she finished applying the medicine. Khalise repeated the question, this time a little more insistent. "Khai, does she know—"

Before she could finish, Khai cut her off, her voice sharp but not unkind. "Khal, you better go to bed."

Khalise didn't argue, but I could see the weight of the unspoken words in her eyes. She turned, walking away without another word, but not before adding, "You should tell her, Khai."

The silence hung between us as her footsteps faded away. Khai didn't immediately speak, her focus now solely on me. When she finally met my gaze, her expression was unreadable, but something soft was in her eyes. "Hey," she said, her voice quieter now, "how about you go freshen up?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but her words felt like a gentle invitation to take a step back, even if just for a moment. I nodded, my feet still throbbing from the long night, but I found myself wanting to give her space, wanting to give myself space to process everything that had happened tonight. "I'll be right back," I whispered, standing up to make my way toward the bathroom, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

After my bath, I opened the bedroom door to find her fixing the bed. She was focused, her hands smoothing over the sheets, her presence filling the quiet space.