Chapter 81 | Overwhelmed

Magnolia

We all walk back into Phoenix’s room. Violet’s dad, my uncle, Donovan is lying on the couch and he pops up when he heard the door open. Phoenix talks in a soothing yet respectful voice as he says, “Sorry sir, didn’t mean to frighten you.”

I freeze as Donovan stands up, he looks so fragile. I don’t know why I expected him to look any different, but it’s certainly alarming seeing how small he looks with his bones so obviously showing. Violet walks over to him as she asks, “Why are you lying on the couch when you could be in the bed?”

He shrugs, “Don’t worry about it, Violet. This is better than I’ve had in a while.”

I notice Violet’s face is pinched with worry, but she doesn’t say anything especially now that her dad is up on his feet and is bringing out his hand to shake Phoenix’s and saying, “Donovan Stone, thank you for allowing me in your room.”

Phoenix smiles politely and says, “It’s not a problem, sir.”

I notice that Phoenix doesn’t say his full name and for a moment I wo