Chapter 271

Seeing Mom rush to the kitchen, too busy to ask me about the Hastings family for now, I finally collapsed onto the couch. I was completely drained. Quitting my job and moving out—why did everything have to pile up at once? I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to rest. In my half-asleep haze, I caught the familiar scent of food. Before long, Mom gently woke me. "Serena, get up and have some pies." Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. The sight of the steaming food in front of me made me even hungrier, and my stomach let out a loud grumble. I thought she would sit down and eat with me, but instead, she simply patted my head and said softly, "Go ahead and eat. I'll get you some chowder." Then, she turned and went back into the kitchen. I ate in silence with a mess of thoughts in mind—quitting, moving, figuring out what to do next. The pies in front of me were freshly made. The pastry skin was thin, but the pies had been generously stuffed with filling. With each bite, the rich, savory grav