Page 203 of Before Dawn

It took a while for her to calm down, her sobs fading into soft sniffles. As her breathing steadied, I reached up to turn off the water and pulled her closer.

Gently, I cupped her cheek, tilting her face to meet my gaze. “Talk to me, baby. What’s going on?”

She shook her head, wiping at her eyes. “It’s s-stupid,” she muttered, her voice small.

I brushed away a tear with my thumb. “Your feelings are never stupid.Tell me.”

Her lips trembled as she sucked in a breath. “My anxiety’s just high all of a sudden,” she whispered. “It feels like a weight on my chest, like I can’t breathe. Like I’m losing control... or that someone’s going to hurt me.”

Her words cut through me. I saw the fear, the worry, the burden she carried.

I cupped her face, making sure she saw the conviction in my eyes. “No one’s going to hurt you. That’s a promise,mi reina.”

She didn’t speak, but something in her gaze flickered—trust, hesitant but there. I held her stare, waiting, letting her find comfort in my presence.

After a long moment, she sighed, leaning into me, her body easing just a little. When she was ready, I helped her out of the shower, dried her off slowly, then quickly dried myself.

She looked exhausted, worn down. I wanted to take it all away, to make it easier. And it fucking killed me that I couldn’t.

“I’m going downstairs to get some things for you,” I said, pulling on a sweatshirt.

“I can get it,” she mumbled, wiping at her eyes.

I shook my head. “You stay here. Let me take care of you.”

She hesitated, then nodded.

As I made my way downstairs, the weight in my chest refused to lift. Rounding the corner into the kitchen, I stopped short.

Alicia stood by the counter, a mug in her hands. At the sound of my footsteps, she turned.

“Mikkel?” she said, brows knitting together. “Is everything okay?”

I hesitated. “By any chance, do you have barbecue Lay’s or cake?”

“Aurora had the last ones. Is Abigail okay?”

I ran a hand through my damp hair. “She’s anxious, and those usually give her comfort.”

She set down her mug, her face softening. “Oh, sweetheart. It’s late, though—”

“I’ll Uber if I need to,” I cut in, more determined. “I need to get them for her.”

She studied me, then handed me her car keys. “Take my car.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded. “Drive safe, Mikkel. Call if you need anything.”

I gave her a small smile before heading out.

For thirty minutes, I scoured the city, frustration mounting with every closed sign, until I finally found an open store. Spotting a bag of Lay’s and a small chocolate cake nearly made me sigh with relief.

An hour later, I pulled into the driveway, grabbed the snacks, and dropped Alicia’s keys on the kitchen table before heading upstairs.

Abigail sat on the bed, knees to her chest, arms wrapped around them. She looked so small, so fragile. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

“Where did you go?” she asked, her voice soft, almost timid. “I went downsta—”

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