CHAPTER 71: THE BEEF

Caleb’s eyes fluttered open, sluggish with sleep, as a persistent knocking reverberated through the walls of his bedroom. The sound was a sharp contrast to the stillness of the room, jolting him from his restful slumber. A smile tugged at the corners of Caleb’s mouth, anticipation pulsing through him. In the stillness of his mind, hope sprang eternal. Who else could it be but Juliet, come to profess her undying love? He breathed deeply, his heart fluttering like a caged bird. A smug grin spread across Caleb’s face as he groggily roused himself from his bed. Despite the lingering pain in his stomach, he felt a surge of excitement. “So, she did come back,” he mused, his words weighted with satisfaction. Finally, he was out of bed, stumbling a bit as he steadied himself on his feet. “You couldn’t stay away, could you?” Caleb asked, his voice thick with amusement as he swung the door open. But his expectant grin vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of stunned disappointment. Ther