Keegan nodded, and the other person quietly left, closing the door behind them.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtPaul's gaze lingered on the departing figure for a long time.
Keegan filled a bowl with eggnog and placed it on a tray, then gently slid it towards Paul. "Mr. Morant, try it." Paul stared at the bowl of eggnog in front of him. Memories began to surface—perhaps it was his rundown childhood home, his parents who called him a burden and refused to support his education, even resenting him for eating an extra piece of meat at dinner. Or maybe it was the little boy who once snuck into his room with a bowl of eggnog, telling him not to cry and promising to always share his sweet soup...
These memories had long been buried, almost forgotten like they belonged to another life. But now, they crushing back, pulling him under.
And then, just as quickly, he remembered the fire-a blaze that consumed everything. When he woke up, his body was scarred, his soul twisted by inhuman experiences that clung to him like a parasite. The pain from his mutilated ring finger seemed to flare up again, spreading through his entire body, making him feel as though his insides were being ripped apart.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe hunched over, gripping the table, his body trembling with the intensity of the pain.
Keegan noticed his distress and whispered, "Mr. Morant? Are you okay?" Paul lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot, face pale, and sweat beading on his forehead. After what felt like an eternity, he rasped, "What... what do you want?" Keegan remained calm. "Mr. Morant, I only wanted to share a meal with you. It's been over 20 years. Surely, you've forgotten what the food from htastes like." Paul's lips tightened. He knew Keegan was playing mind games. If Keegan had found Dillon, what else might he know? Steadying himself, Paul took a spoonful of the eggnog. The taste was just as he remembered.
His eyes stung, and he looked down, continuing to eat in silence om determined not to let Keegan see his n: emotions.
Paul's health was poor, so his appetite wasn't great. Still, he tasted every dish only stopping when he could eat no more.
Keegan barely ate, using the serving chopsticks to occasionally place food op Raul's plate. X