CHAPTER 21
Celia walked down the corridor with Mara and Jonah on either side of him. Neither of them looked ready to let him off easily.
"So," Mara started, glancing sideways at him, "are you actually going to tell us why you disappeared for three days, or do we have to keep guessing?"
Jonah nodded. "You've never ignored our messages like that before."
Celia adjusted the strap of his bag, keeping his expression calm.
Truthfully, he had almost forgotten he was still an undergraduate. He hadn't checked his phone once. It was probably dead by now, and the charger was still at his grandparents' apartment. Telling them the full truth wasn't an option.
"My sister was in the hospital," he said simply. "Things got complicated. I didn't really have time to reply."
Mara's expression softened, though the concern didn't fully leave her face.
"Is she okay now?"
"She's stable. That's why I'm back."
