81

As we docked the boat and headed back toward the house, Teddy was practically floating. He couldn't stop smiling. I could feel his happiness radiating through our bond.

It hit me like a tidal wave. Pure, unfiltered joy. I didn't even have to look at him to know how he was feeling. He was on cloud nine.

And me? I felt like I was drowning.

The nausea that had started earlier wasn't going away. If anything, it was getting worse. My stomach was doing flips, but the only thing coming through the bond was Teddy's happiness. He was beside himself, and that, in turn, made me feel a little happy, too.

But the happiness wasn't mine. It was his. It wasn't real.

I tried to keep it together as we walked up the path to the house, but every step felt heavy.

I saw Viviana sitting on the porch as we approached the house, watching Marilee play with the other kids. The scene was so peaceful, so... normal. It should have made me feel calm, but all it did was highlight how out of place I felt.

Viviana