Suho awoke much later than usual that morning. The combination of drink and the events of the previous week had been too much for even him to fight, and when he finally rose, he found that Esme was not in her room. He was not surprised that her bed was already made; there was no sign that she'd ever even been there at all.

He tried to smile, but found that he couldn't.

How selfish he felt for wanting her to stay.

Walking downstairs, he found that he was the last one out of bed, the others were sitting around, eating and chatting cheerfully. Esme was nowhere to be seen, and Lay too was gone. 

Sehun must have sensed what he was thinking and chimed in as he chewed. 

"She already ate, she was up long before the rest of us. She even made us some food."

His heart fell to his stomach. It was unlikely he'd be able to eat that morning, in any case. 

"Did she happen to say anything before she departed? Did she leave a note, perhaps?"

Sehun tilted his head in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

Kai furrowed his brow.

"Surely you're joking. Why would anyone leave a note just to go work in the garden?" 

"She asked Lay to take a letter into the village for her. She's just outside in the garden, brother," Sehun repeated.

Though his appetite had returned, he felt that food could wait, as he rose and walked toward the door. 

He suddenly found that he was smiling. <