'Caroline Forbes has been off lately.' Caroline heard Rosaline Hale whisper to Bella Swan during lunch one day.

Caroline was deeply concerned, and the last thing she needed was ace reporter Rosalie Hale on her heels.

She'd already compelled her mother to forget about her, Stefan, and Damon being vampires. Bonnie's been avoiding her, Katherine was terrorizing and using her to spy on Elena and Stefan, and she was dealing with the situations involving Matt and Tyler.

Caroline felt utterly alone; the last thing she needed was more complications.

No, Caroline did not need ace reporter Rosalie Hale on her heels.

'I wouldn't know,' Bella commented quietly, 'She doesn't talk to me anymore.'

Caroline, now a vampire, was feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. She realized that she was doing the same thing to Bella that Bonnie and Elena had done to her.

When Caroline shared her concerns with Bella, she listened attentively and suggested that Caroline should be patient and wait for Bonnie and Elena to explain the situation to her. However, Caroline knew the truth could put her in danger, so she couldn't share everything with Bella.

'Maybe Elena Gilbert said something to her.'

'Like what?'

'Like you're trying to steal Stefan, even though Caroline was with him first.'

'They weren't together together.' Bella pointed out. 'And Elena broke up with him.'

'How do you know that?'

'He told me this morning.'

'This morning?!'

'He gave me a ride.'

'I bet.'

'To school.' Caroline could hear the laughter in her voice.

This heightened hearing was terrific.

'What did you talk about?'

'Music.'

'Music?'

'Yeah, I'm making him a playlist.'

'Seriously?'

'I'm sorry, nothing sexy happened.'

'Why did they break up?'

'He didn't divulge.'

'Why do you think they broke up?'

'Damon.' Caroline heard Bella whisper.

'What was that?' Rosalie demanded.

Caroline, too, was curious about Bella's remark.

Why would she mention him?

Did she remember?

'Elena is going through many problematizing things,' Bella grumbled, 'and a boyfriend would problematize things further.'

'Hm.' something told Caroline that Rosaline wasn't completely satisfied with her reply. 'How's the Stefan Salvatore mix tape going?'

'So far, all I got is Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.'

'What is the deal with you and him?'

'What do you mean?'

'He looks at you like you're something to eat.'

This caused Bella to snicker and send Caroline into an immediate panic.

She remembers she has to.

'Nothing, really. I'm friends with Jeremy, and Stefan was dating Elena.'

'Nothing is going on, but you're putting together a mixtape for him.'

'A platonic mixtape.'

'Well, email me that platonic playlist.'

'What happened in history class?'

'Mr. Saltzman wants to see me after class.'

'If he asks about me, pled the fifth.'

'What's the deal with him?'

'I don't know. My only theory is that he's dating Elena's aunt and wants to get in good with her.'

'Maybe it's time to call Chris Hansen.'

'I don't think it's that kind of problem.'

'I'll have more when I talk to him.'

'I think Bella remembers!' Caroline pointed out to us as we waited for Jeremy.

She'd been quietly fuming about something all day; at first, I thought it was about Damon and/or Katherine, but no, she dropped this bomb on us.

'What?' Bonnie choked on her water. This was the first time she'd seen or spoken to Caroline since she made her ring.

'I heard her talking to Rosalie, who commented that Stefan looks at her like she's something to eat, and Bella laughed. First of all, Bella doesn't know how to enjoy a dirty joke, and second of all, she remembers! She remembers everything!'

'That's-'

'Why was she talking about Stefan?' I flared.

'They were talking about me first.'

'Why?' asked Bonnie.

'Rosaline is paying too much attention to me, and Bella pointed out that we don't talk anymore.'

I feel Caroline's guilt from here. Bonnie must have, too, because she put an arm around her.

'I remembered her attack.'

'Whose attack?' Bonnie asked.

'Bella's. She begged me to help her.'

'You were under compulsion.'

'I'll hear those pleas for the rest of my life...' Caroline wept briefly before wiping her eyes. 'Bella told Rosalie that she and I don't talk anymore.'

'You're trying to keep her safe.'

'Yeah, but I'm putting her through the same thing I went through. I was so alone, and now Bella is too!'

'She's not alone; she has Rosalie-' Bonnie said slowly.

'How is this relevant to Stefan?' I demanded.

Bonnie threw me an irritated look as Caroline looked at me, seemingly annoyed.

'Bella thinks Damon is why you and Stefan broke up.'

I balked at the remark. 'What?'

'Stefan gave her a ride to school.'

'I know.' I replied. 'Damon told me.' Bonnie and Caroline exchanged a glance. 'What?'

'Damon told you?' Bonnie repeated.

'Yeah...'

'Is Bella onto something?'

'No, she isn't!' I hissed. 'Is she spreading lies about me? Did she tell Rosalie that?'

'No, she said it under her breath.'

'What did she say to her?'

'She played the Elena is an orphan card.'

The Elena is an orphan card. I wasn't aware that I could weaponize my parents' death.

'Did Bella mention what she and Stefan talked about?'

'Music. They chatted about music.'

'Music?' I repeated.

'She's making him a playlist.'

'What?' Bonnie laughed.

'She's making him a playlist.' Caroline looked square in the eyes. 'I think we should tell Bella.'

'I don't want that freak in my business!'

Caroline frowned. 'She has pictures of your birth mother; even if she doesn't remember, she's already in your business. She may already know more than you.'

'She has a point, Elena.' Bonnie muttered.

I groaned and turned away. 'I want to talk to Alaric, Damon, and Stefan first.'

I found Bella's playlist stuffed in my locker after school; I skimmed through it:

1. Swan Lake- Tchaikovsky

2. Bullet with butterfly wings- smashing pumpkins

3. Toccata and fugue in d minor

4. Dangerous mind- within temptation

5. Forsaken- David Draiman

6. Stand my ground- within temptation

7. Dragula- rob zombie

8. Living dead girl- rob zombie

9. Larcimosa- Mozart

10. Larcymosa evanescence

11. The red- Chevelle

12. Cabrini green- Phillip glass

These were among the few songs I glimpsed, and I'm not going to lie; I was predicting more classical music or Neil Diamond.

'What's that?' I heard Jeremy ask over my shoulder.

'Bella made me a playlist.'

'A playlist?'

'A playlist.'

'That's so 80's.'

'I think it's kinda cool.'

'Where is Bella?'

'Probably on her way home, why?'

'Elena texted me; she wants you to come by.'

'Elena and I broke up-.'

'She wants you to come by, and she wants you to bring your brother.'

'Did she say what?'

'I guess that it's probably involves Bella.'

'What about Bella?'

'Maybe she wants the three of you to ambush her again, ' he said bitterly.

'Jeremy-'

'I don't want any of you causing her any more distress!'

'No one is going to cause Bella more distress.' I shoved the paper in my pocket. 'Did you talk to Bella?'

'No, why?'

'She said she wanted to talk to you and Caroline about something.'

'Did she say what?'

'I don't know, she wouldn't spill. She was worried Damon was listening to us.'

'Last time we talked, she was trying to tell me something.'

'Tell you what?'

'I was asking about her birth parents.'

Oh, that's right. It's easy to forget that Bella has also been adopted.

'She mentioned that she saw Isobel.'

'What?!'

'I think Isobel saved her from being crushed.'

'What?'

'She was trying to tell me something, but Elena and Bonnie walked up.'

'Do you think she knows about Elena being adopted?'

'She knows, I told Bella after Elena told me.'

So Jeremy helped me dodge a bullet.

Many people gathered at the Gilberts, the Saltman, the Salvatore brothers, Bonnie and Caroline.

Maybe they're finally going to tell Caroline and Jeremy the truth.

I wondered who I could approach first: Jeremy or Caroline.

Wait, Mr. Saltzman is there?

He could be there for Jenna, but she left ten minutes ago.

Did he know?

I should talk to Forge and see if he can help me out.

I haven't seen Tori around; maybe she works with those other vampires, the tomb vampires, I think Stefan called them.

Or maybe that vampire that Damon was obsessed with; what was her name again?

Katherine?

'Why was I summoned?' Damon complained as he and I walked into the house.

'Yeah, why-'

'I think we should tell Bella!' Caroline boomed before I could get my foot in the door. 'I don't think she entirely forgot about vampires!'

'What?'

'Yeah, Caroline thinks we should tell Bella.' Elena lamented.

'That's a dumb idea!' Damon let out.

'I agree.' Jeremy replied.

'Thank you.'

'No, not with you.' he threw Damon an irritated look. 'I think we should tell Bella.'

'Me, too.' Bonnie raised her hand.

'Ditto.' Caroline and Jeremy raised their hands.

Alaric raised his hand as well, and Damon frowned. 'Not you, too, Ric.'

'Stefan hinted that she might be able to resist compulsion; maybe she knows and can tell us how. Besides, she can tell us about her uncle.'

'Isobel was the one who saved her from being crushed.' Jeremy confessed. 'And I think Bella saw her the day of the parade.'

'When did you find this out?!' Damon flared.

'It was the day Caroline was released from- whoa.'

'What's whoa?'

'The last thing she said before Elena and Bonnie walked up was we might related.'

"we might be related?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. Confusion swirled in my mind. "Is she talking about her uncle?"

Damon's eyes narrowed, and his voice rose dangerously. "Why are you telling us this now?!"

Jeremy's expression darkened, and he shot back, his words laced with anger, "I was too busy grieving the people you murdered!"

"Okay, okay," Alaric intervened, stepping protectively before Jeremy. He held up a hand to calm the rising tension. Turning his gaze to Jeremy, he asked, "Did she tell you what she meant?"

"No, but I'm sure that if we share the truth with her, she'll reveal everything she knows."

Damon scowled, his distrust palpable. "No, I don't trust her. I vote no."

"This isn't about you!" Caroline snapped, her frustration bubbling over. "This is about Elena."

Damon crossed his arms defiantly. "She could be working with Isobel!"

"Like how I was 'working' with you when you broke her neck!" Caroline roared, the anger radiating off her.

Glaring daggers at Damon, Jeremy, Bonnie, and Stefan stood united in their disdain—Damon merely rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"I seriously doubt Bella is working with Isobel," Jeremy scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Why would she have saved her? Isobel compelled someone to jump in front of a truck to mess with Elena. Do you really think she'd save someone who can't compel and knows her entire plan?"

"Maybe John told her not to."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Why would John do that?"

"Maybe it's because we're related," Jeremy reiterated a note of determination in his voice.

Alaric, Bonnie, and Caroline nodded in agreement, signaling their support for Jeremy's theory. I felt a wave of defeat wash over me.

Turning to Stefan, I sought clarity. "What's your choice?"

"Her scent makes her a target for any vampire within the city limits," he explained swiftly, his tone serious. "It would be hard to justify why she can't be alone with certain people. Besides, she possesses those photos, and you want them. This might be your only chance of getting them."

"I don't want to tell her," I replied, my heart heavy with uncertainty.

"And you shouldn't have to!" Damon interjected quickly, but his words offered little comfort.

"Then why should Bella share what she knows with Elena?" Stefan pointed out logically, his dark eyes piercing through the tension.

"Because it's the right thing to do!" Damon shouted, exasperated.

"From Elena's point of view, yes, but to Bella..." Stefan trailed off, his gaze thoughtful.

"Elena is why you three cornered Bella at lunch," Jeremy grimaced, his voice taut. "For all we know, Isobel could have convinced Bella that you're the bad guy."

"Wait, the four of you caused Bella's panic attack?" Caroline demanded, turning sharply to face me.

"I didn't know she was fragile," I scoffed, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

"I can't believe you," Caroline said incredulously, shaking her head. "Of all people, how could you say that?"

"Watching your parents die will do that to you," Jeremy stated firmly, his voice heavy with the weight of shared grief.

"How can you say that to me?" I turned to him, tears welling in my eyes, feeling vulnerable.

"Elena watched her parents die too!" Damon flared up, grabbing Jeremy by the shirt in anger. "She was there, too! How could you remind her of the most awful day of her life?"

"Our lives," Jeremy shot back defiantly as he pushed Damon away, his anger unyielding.

"What?!"

"Elena isn't the only one who lost her parents that day," Jeremy hissed, his voice thick with emotion. "And Elena was unconscious; she didn't know they were gone until it was far too late."

"Bella was fully aware of how her parents died," Caroline declared flatly, her tone resolute.

"She had to be dragged away from them kicking and screaming," Stefan added quietly, heartbreak in his voice.

"That's what she told Matt and Vicky."

"We didn't see them again until the funeral," Jeremy continued, the gravity of his words palpable as he glanced my way. "You said they looked like they were sleeping. You hoped they didn't suffer."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Damon asked, impatience clear in his voice.

"Can Bella say the same thing?" Jeremy challenged, his eyes locked on Damon.

"She might have answers, and if John has them, Bella can ask without raising suspicion," Stefan urged, locking his gaze with mine. "You can't." I looked away, feeling the weight of his words. He took my hands, grounding me. "Just tell her the truth—the woman in the photo is your birth mother, and you think Beau was your birth father. Judge her by that and decide whether to share everything."

Stefan's stance was clear, but it put me at a crossroads.

"Do I have to do it now?" I hesitated.

"Not until you're ready."

"Will you be with me?" I asked softly, seeking comfort in his presence.

"Every step of the way," he assured me, his grip reassuring.

"I want to be there too!" Damon insisted, his voice cutting through the moment.

"Me too," Alaric echoed, eager to support.

"She would never open up with the two of you there," Jeremy interjected sharply. "It might be better if it's just Elena and Stefan."

"I agree," Stefan affirmed, his eyes steady.

"I don't care—"

"If she remembers, do you really think she'd talk to you?!" Caroline boomed, her voice resonating with authority.

"When do we do this?" Stefan asked, looking down at me patiently.

I remained silent, holding him tightly in my arms, searching for the strength to move forward.

My phone buzzed like crazy all night and morning. I must have gotten texts from everyone in the friend group.

And they all asked the same question: Elena over there?

I just put them all in a group chat.

No. Elena is not here.

Do you know where she is? An unsaved number asked.

Damon, perhaps, I guess. I mean, I don't have his number, but I read the text in his voice.

No.

Do you have any ideas?

I don't know Elena as well as all of you.

Great. Another unsaved number, the Saltman, perhaps?

Sorry.

Has she contacted you? Caroline's number.

Not recently. Maybe she went to the park.

Both Caroline and Jeremy asked, why would I say that?

I just remember us always going to the park.

What else do you remember about the park? It was Stefan who asked this.

How is it going to help us find Elena?!

I could ask Rosalie if she's seen her.

A furry of text demanded that I don't do that.

Just let us know if you see her.

Every other day, that girl goes missing; why do people like kidnapping Elena?

A few days after the Where's Elena fiasco, I got a text message from Elena herself.

She and Stefan wanted to meet me; Elena said she had to tell me something.

Who else is coming?

What do you mean? She texted back, playing dumb.

I don't have the energy to deal with your goons.

My goons? What's that supposed to mean?!

I planned to tell her when Stefan called.

'Hello?'

'Hello, Bella.'

'Stefan.' I felt my heart skip.

'Elena and I need to speak to you.

'I'm listening.'

'It's not something we should say over the phone.'

'Do you want me to come over?

'Maybe we can come over there?'

John's augury echoed in my head. 'I don't like having people over while Gram is sleeping. Maybe we can meet up at the grill. I didn't feel like making dinner anyway.'

'Alright.'

Stefan and I wasted no time leaving the moment he hung up the phone, resolute in our desire to avoid any delays that might disrupt our carefully laid plans.

After what felt like an eternity of tense anticipation, Bella finally stumbled through the door, her movements unsteady and her expression dazed.

She appeared as though she had just climbed out of bed, clad in a long blue-sleeved shirt that hung loosely on her frame, faded jeans that looked like they had seen better days, and worn-out black sneakers that had clearly walked many miles. Her hair was tangled and wild, giving the impression that she hadn't taken even a moment to comb through it.

Bella gracefully walked over to Matt, exchanging light-hearted words before approaching us. Ever the gallant gentleman, Stefan stood up and pulled out her chair, the soft scrape of the wood against the floor resonating in the quiet atmosphere.

"We're glad you could make it, Bella," he said, his warm smile lighting up his face.

"I'm glad you came alone," she replied flatly, her gaze momentarily drifting to the door as if expecting someone.

"Why is that?" I asked, intrigued by her statement.

"Stranger danger," Bella shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm as she settled into her chair. With a confident flick of her wrist, she pulled out her phone, activating a 15-minute countdown timer. "You have until my order is ready," she stated, her voice sharp and filled with urgency.

"I can't possibly say everything I need to in just 15 minutes, Bella!" I protested, feeling the pressure of the ticking timer.

"You have 14 minutes, Elena!" Bella snapped, her eyes glued to her phone's display, utterly unfazed by my protests.

Just as I was about to speak again, Stefan interjected. "We know Jeremy has already informed you about Elena being adopted," he said, adopting a calm demeanor to ease the escalating tension.

The moment he spoke, Bella's face drained of color, her expression shifting to one of surprise. She began to toss her long hair nervously over her shoulder, and I noticed how Stefan's grip tightened around his fork as he caught a whiff of her unique scent.

"Oh," she said, uncertainty creeping into her voice, "were you looking for advice on handling it?"

As the realization dawned on me, I recalled that Bella was also adopted, just like I was. I cleared my throat, wrestling with my thoughts to find the right words, but they felt stuck in my throat.

"I—" I began, but the words evaporated, leaving me at a loss for what to say. I turned to Bella, hesitating momentarily before finally saying her name firmly.

"Bella?" I asked, my voice steady yet soft.

Her gaze lifted to meet mine, filled with anticipation.

"Elena?" she replied, waiting patiently for me to continue.

"Are you going to find them?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued as I felt Stefan's eyes shift toward me. Bella shrank back slightly, beginning to toss her hair again in a fidgety manner. "Could you stop that?" I insisted, a hint of impatience in my

tone.

"What?" she asked.

"Are you going to find your birth parents?" I pressed.

She sat up straighter, a mix of confusion and determination crossing her face. "What's this all about?" she asked, her brows furrowing.

When I struggled to respond, Stefan took the floor, saying, "Elena found her birth parents."

"That's..." Bella's eyes widened, her surprise evident as she turned to me. "How do you feel about that?"

"I don't recommend it," I replied firmly, my resolve steady as I met her gaze.

Bella fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting away as she bit her lip, a gesture that betrayed her inner turmoil. "Is that why you invited me here? To dissuade me from doing the same?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.

"No," I replied slowly, choosing my words carefully. "That's not why."

"Okay..." Her voice trailed off, uncertainty hanging in the air.

"Elena..." Stefan's reassuring hand came to rest on my

shoulder, grounding me amidst the emotional storm.

I touched his hand lightly, feeling a surge of comfort from his presence. "I met my birth mother a while ago," I confessed, the weight of my revelation settling between us like lead.

Bella raised an inquisitive eyebrow, glancing back and forth between Stefan and me.

"Is that why you've been so distant with Caroline?" Her tone was probing, searching for the answers hidden beneath my surface.

"Yes and no, but..." I struggled to articulate the whirlwind of feelings swirling in my mind.

"We're down to ten minutes." Stefan's voice was quiet yet firm, puncturing the fragile bubble of our conversation.

Frustration gnawed at me, and I hissed, "Can we do this at your house? It feels too charged here."

"Here is fine," Bella insisted, a note of determination in her voice. "Say what you have to say, and if I need more details, we can talk privately afterward."

"Bella—" I started, but the intensity of her dark gaze was powerful enough to silence me.

"Elena."

At that moment, Bella became determined, her fierce expression making me feel exposed, trapped under the weight of my truth.

I sighed deeply, feeling like the air around me had become heavy. With a gesture of defeat, I threw my hands up and blurted, "Mr. Saltzman's dead wife is my mother."

Bella's eyes widened in shock, her body momentarily freezing as she turned her gaze from me to Stefan, clearly taken aback by my unexpected revelation.

"What?" she said, disbelief etched across her features.

"Mr. Saltzman's wife was my mother," I repeated, the truth echoing around us like a tangible force.

"I didn't know he was married," Bella murmured, her voice laced with confusion. "Does he know?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice heavy with the emotion I struggled to contain.

Bella shifted uncomfortably, nervously tossing her long hair back as if trying to shake off the gravity of my words. "Okay, but you and I aren't friends," she stated, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "You wouldn't be sharing this unless you had to, so I'm guessing there's more."

I knew I had to bear the entirety of my truth to her, no matter how difficult it might be.

"I think we found my father," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, fear creeping into my tone. "Someone I've known my whole life—someone you've met too."

"I have?" Bella gasped, the shock evident in her wide eyes. I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Well, who is it?" she demanded, her curiosity igniting as a challenge.

I hesitated, caught in how to break the staggering news. Perhaps I should have arranged to meet Bella at Caroline's house; she would undoubtedly know how to handle this conversation gracefully.

But it was too late now.

"Earth to Elena!" Bella's voice cut through my thoughts, a sharp reminder of our urgent moment. "T minus five minutes."

"To hell with your food!" I snapped, my frustration bubbling over. "I'm trying to tell you something important!"

"Then spit it out!" she retorted, impatience creeping into her tone.

"You could show some compassion!" I exclaimed, hurt by her

apparent lack of empathy amidst my revelation.

"You're increasing my anxiety!" Bella shot back, her voice rising in protest.

Sensing the growing tension, Stefan immediately intervened, his hands covering ours in a peaceful gesture meant to calm us down.

However, Bella's startled reaction to his touch and the blush that crept onto their cheeks did not escape my notice.

I squeezed his hand, reminding him of my presence and hoping it would anchor the conversation.

Stefan cleared his throat, his voice a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. "Ladies, we think John is Elena's father."

"John Gilbert?!" Bella exclaimed, her expression morphing into one of utter disbelief.

I nodded, feeling relief as the truth finally collided with reality.

"My uncle might be my dad," I admitted, the enormity of those words sweeping through the air between us.

"Did you get a blood test?" Bella shot back, skepticism creeping into her voice.

"No," I replied, trying to suppress the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach.

"Then how do you know?" she pressed, her impatience bubbling to the surface.

"John—" I began, but Bella's words cut me off.

"Do you trust him?" she asked, her gaze penetrating as if searching for cracks in my certainty.

The question sent a chill down my spine, making every hair on my arm stand on end. "Yes," I said firmly, trying to convince her and myself.

"Tch. No, you don't," Bella countered, doubt lacing her tone.

I felt irritation bubbling beneath the surface; how could she scan me?

"They went to high school together," I challenged her, hoping to defend my stance.

"So, what? That doesn't mean—wait, did you say they went to high school together?" Bella's tone shifted, curiosity replacing skepticism.

"Yes," I affirmed, uncertain of her newfound interest.

Bella's intense gaze turned toward Stefan, and then she pulled out her copy of *Wuthering Heights*. I noticed her focusing intently as she took out a bookmark and placed it face down, an unusual nervousness tinging her movements. Stefan and I exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what was unfolding.

She picked up a photo and held it momentarily, scrutinizing it with furrowed brows before slowly turning it around to face us. The image pictured John, Isobel, and Beau sitting outside my house, a snapshot of a memory that felt heavy with unspoken words. I held my breath, anxious for her reaction.

"Is this her?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper, trepidation lacing her words.

I nodded as Stefan tightened his grip on my hand, a silent promise of support. Bella's gaze flicked away, her eyes racing around the grill, searching for clarity, before narrowing back on me.

"Are you absolutely sure?" she asked, her voice quaking with uncertainty.

"Yes," I affirmed, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, the moment's intensity overwhelming.

I reached for the photo, yearning to take it back, but Bella swatted my hand away, startling me as the timer rang loudly, causing her to jump and knock over my drink in surprise.

"Order for Swan!" Matt's voice called out from the kitchen, breaking the tension.

"I have to get my food," Bella said, hurriedly shoving the photo into her pocket and grabbing her phone, the moment's weight shifting away.

"Okay, it's okay," Stefan said soothingly, a reassuring presence beside me. "Now we can go to her talk. Remember, she only lives a few houses down. It wouldn't surprise me if she called later to discuss this."

I appreciated his optimism, even as a gnawing sense of failure nestled in my mind.

After some time had elapsed and Bella still hadn't returned, Matt approached our table with two bags clutched.

"Is Bella in the restroom?" he asked, scanning the area for her.

"No," I replied, a wave of defeat washing over me.

"Why?" Stefan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"She left her order," Matt said, lifting the bags to show us.

Stefan and I exchanged a meaningful glance, a flicker of hope igniting between us.

"We'll take it," I said, feeling a mixture of resignation and determination.