“Another gone, my lady.” The messenger scurried over to Adaline. Head resting on one of her hands she shooed him away, staring at the piles of scrolls lying on her table. How could this have happened?

Just last week she had cured the baker’s son for a fair price, and now he had died. Of course, that could’ve been a mistake, but this same thing had happened to everyone she’d cured. She was getting all of the blame, and she hadn’t even meant to do anything!

Adaline’s magical cures had ended last week in a tragic arson attempt. She had to promise the townspeople she wouldn’t use magic anymore.

The one thing that brought her joy since Leroy.

A pounding on Adaline’s window made her jump. She lazily walked over to the window and shoved it open. There he was, with what she assumed used to be flowers in his hand, and a stupid smile on his face. “I come bearing gifts,” he said, panting. “You know I have a door,” she answered coldly, before turning back to her table.

She cleared her throat.

“_Dear Adaline of Corinth. _

We hate you.

We wish harm upon you,

and bad fortune with you.

All the worst,

__

The Thompkey’s.”

“And this isn’t even the half of it. Leave please.” The man just continued holding out the flowers. Adaline cut them and leaned close to him. “I don’t like lily’s.” The heartbroken look on his face almost made her regret it.

“B-but… Adaline, please. I feel like I know you, we had a connection at some point, please.” Although it broke her heart, she answered “Leave.” He seemed ready to try again, but just bowed his head and slowly crawled out the window.

She’d always loved that about him. Trying to be different, but he wasn’t trying at all. Adaline touched the door. “Goodbye, Leroy.”