Chapter 219: Amanda's Longing

Chapter 219: Amanda's Longing

Thomas had one thing on his mind: find Amanda and make sure she was safe.

In Karen's cave, the air was so thick it felt like you could cut it with a knife.

Amanda sat quietly in the corner, her eyes red and puffy, tears threatening to spill over at any moment.

She clutched a heart-shaped stone tightly in her hands, warmed by her touch and still carrying Thomas's scent.

This stone was her only comfort during the long wait, each touch feeling like she was holding Thomas's hand, bringing her a fleeting sense of peace.

Anna, Helen, and Sita sat around her, their eyes full of concern and worry, softly comforting Amanda.

"Amanda, don't worry. Thomas is so capable, he'll be fine. Plus, Mary and George are smart; they'll come back safely," Anna said gently.

Helen nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, they might already be on their way back."

Her words were simple but filled with hope.

Sita straightened up, confidently saying, "With Mary there, Thomas won't be in danger. Trust me."

Her clear and bright voice echoed in the cave. She had been saved by Mary and admired her greatly, believing she would be safe.

Listening to their comfort, Amanda nodded slightly, but the worry in her eyes didn't diminish.

Her thoughts drifted back to the days after Thomas and Mary had left.

During those days, her heart was filled with endless concern. After they left, Amanda led everyone to Karen's cave, a hidden and relatively safe place.

Karen was kind and hospitable, taking care of them meticulously, providing a bit of warmth during these tough times.

To see Thomas and Mary as soon as they returned, Amanda would wake up early every day.

Despite the arduous journey, she would walk along the familiar path back to the cave, each step filled with hope.

But each time, she was greeted by an empty cave and a deathly silence. Despite the repeated disappointments, she never gave up.

Every day, she would meticulously clean the cave, leaving no corner untouched, organizing their belongings.

She hoped that when Thomas and Mary returned, they would see a tidy home, making it easier for them to come back to her.

Day after day, six days had passed, and they still hadn't returned.

A firm thought gradually formed in her mind: if they didn't come back in ten days, she would go out to find them herself.

If they returned, she would be relieved and had many things to say.

At that moment, Karen walked in with a large bowl of steaming lamb, the aroma filling the cave and making everyone's mouth water.

Karen's face was warm with a smile as she said, "Let's eat first. Fill up and have some drinks. They might come back any minute now."

Her voice was full of care, trying to ease everyone's heavy hearts with this meal. She had promised Thomas to take care of Amanda, so she had to be attentive.

Amanda gave Karen a grateful look, nodding slightly and sitting down with everyone around the food.

Despite her worry, she knew she had to keep her strength up to handle any situation that might arise. Thomas wouldn't want to see her like this, would he?

She stared at the lamb in front of her but had no appetite, mechanically picking up a piece and putting it in her mouth, finding it tasteless.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Mary had arrived outside the cave at lightning speed, their figures almost ghostly as they appeared.

Thomas carefully peered through a crack in the cave entrance, seeing the scene inside.

He saw Amanda sitting there, holding the familiar heart-shaped stone.

A warmth filled his heart, dispelling the fatigue and worry of the past few days.

He saw everyone sitting together, eating, their faces showing signs of exhaustion and worry, filling him with guilt and self-blame.

Mary stood beside Thomas, her stomach growling with hunger. Seeing the food, she couldn't help but swallow.

They had been busy adapting to the changes brought by the Deer Fruit's power and hadn't had a proper meal in days. The lamb was incredibly tempting to her.

To Mary, this was a feast. She couldn't hold back her curiosity and asked, "Thomas, should we go in?"

Her eyes were fixed on the lamb, as if she would pounce on it any second.

Thomas shook his head, "Let's wait and see how Amanda is feeling."

Sita's voice came from inside the cave, "With Mary there, Thomas won't be in danger. Don't worry."

Mary's mouth twitched, and she whispered, "That's true. I've been the one handling most of the dangers."

She remembered being poisoned and almost not making it, the most terrifying time.

Amanda smiled bitterly, "If she comes back now, I wouldn't mind her being Thomas's mistress, as long as they're safe. I don't ask for anything else."

Hearing this, Thomas blushed slightly, scratching his head in embarrassment, his emotions mixed.

He recalled his experiences with Mary. Under the influence of the Deer Fruit, their bodies had undergone incredible changes.

They had even seen each other almost naked, and Mary had kissed him in a panic.

He didn't know how Amanda would react if she knew about this, filling him with unease and fear.

Now, Amanda was suggesting Mary for him. What was she thinking?

Mary rolled her eyes at him. Thomas was lucky; Amanda was helping him find another woman. If she came back with Thomas's child, what would Amanda think?

While Thomas and Mary were lost in thought, the people inside had started tasting the lamb.

Karen brought out some drinks from a corner.

"Try this, everyone. It's the last of my drinks, and it tastes pretty good."

He poured a cup for Amanda first, then for everyone else.

Amanda took the drink, sipping it lightly. The sweet and sour taste spread on her tongue, slightly lifting her spirits.

She looked at everyone, forcing a smile, "Thank you, Karen. We couldn't have made it without you these days."

Karen smiled and shook his head, "We're all friends. No need to be so polite. Eat up, the lamb is best when hot."

Anna took a sip of her drink, her eyes lighting up, "Karen, this drink is really good!"

Everyone's praise made Karen beam with joy, "I'm glad you like it. I was worried it wouldn't suit your taste."

In the midst of their laughter and conversation, the atmosphere in the cave lightened a bit.