TWENTY TWO

Cassa’s POV

I was in a trance, sitting at the pool's edge, feeling the cool water on my feet. Evalyn had left me to find her brother, and that worried me. Where was he?

The word my grandfather had said kept repeating in my mind. Was it good news or bad news for me? I didn't know what I was feeling, but fear was one of the emotions—fear for myself and for this town.

Who had spread such rumors? Out of all the possible sources, it had to be them. My palm rested on my forehead, and I felt a headache coming on. I had been thinking about it for far too long.

Realizing it was almost night, I knew I needed to talk to Julius. My mind drifted to him answering his phone with an angry reaction. Was he talking to my grandfather? But why hadn't he told me?

He had left so suddenly after arriving at his house, without saying anything. In haste, like he was running away. He was adding to my worries.

I felt heavy footsteps approaching from behind, so I turned my head. It was the Mayor, with messy hair