Chapter 844

I never thought that the person who had occupied my youth would one day don the robe of a religious master. Chris would spend his life amidst candles, ancient scriptures, and solitude. He had seen through worldly desires, or perhaps he had let go of mundane attachments. Maybe he had severed emotional ties, leaving no lingering affections. After returning from Celestial Church, I fell ill and ran a persistent fever. I was in a daze, sleeping for two days, trapped in a haze of dreams. I dreamt of my childhood, my parents, Zack and Bree, Chris, and Conrad. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wake up, as if an invisible force was holding me back, refusing to let me break free. In my haze, I thought I heard Chris' voice and Brandon's too. It seemed they were discussing something. I couldn't make out their words. But after Chris left, the dreams ceased. When I finally woke up, warm and bright sunlight streamed through the window. It was almost blinding. I raised my hand to shield m