My fingers curled slightly. No… no, don’t tell me…
I forced my voice to stay steady. “Drake… I don’t feel good. Can we just go back? Please… I don’t want to stay here.”
Before, he would’ve panicked. He would’ve carried me back himself, asked a hundred questions, made sure I was okay.
Now…
He frowned, like I was being difficult. “Chloe, don’t start this again. She’s been preparing for a long time. Can’t you just stay and watch for a bit? Don’t ruin it.”
Don’t ruin it.
I swallowed, my throat tight. “I’m not trying to ruin anything. I just… I really don’t feel well. Can’t we leave after this? Or even now?”
He sighed, clearly annoyed. “You’re overthinking. Nothing’s going to happen. Just stand there and watch, alright? It’ll be over soon.”
Watch? Me?
I almost laughed.
Chiara stepped forward, a little clumsy but trying hard, holding the control chains. “I practiced this for days,” she said softly. “I really wanted to make it up to you. Please… just give me a chance.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.
The show started.
The bear and the lynx moved through the fire rings and across narrow logs, their bodies smooth and powerful, everything looking normal on the surface.