Chapter 147
After the kidnapping ordeal, Clara was haunted by shadows that clung to the edges of her mind. She would sleep with the lights on, and half–conscious images of lan fighting off attackers swirled in her mind’s eye.
She dreamt of lan being beaten, his body lying bloody and still upon the ground. Clara woke suddenly from these nightmares, lan’s name a desperate whisper on her lips.
Only upon opening her eyes would she realize it was just a dream.
Just as she was about to sigh in relief, the door creaked open and a tall silhouette stumbled into view. lan rushed to the bedside. His touch on her forehead was gentle, and his voice was gravelly with concern. “It’s okay. It was just a dream.”
Clara, shaking off her stupor, stared at him bewildered. “How are you here?”
“I was worried you’d be scared, so I came to keep you company. I saw you were asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you. I was just on the couch outside.”
most natural thing in the world, as if
her voice was cold
the morning. Get some more sleep. Don’t you have court tomorrow?” He tucked her in. His movements
some more rest.”
to slow its frantic pace. Whether it was sheer exhaustion or the sense
until she was roused by the sound of men’s voices outside. She stepped out of the bedroom. Clara’s eyes fell on two enormous suitcases in the living room. Dawson stood opposite lan, delivering a
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Chapter 147
her expression became one of rejection. “What
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