Chapter 727

Something wasn't right.

Clara lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

No, something was definitely off. Dylan's tenderness, the way he cared for her-it all felt alarmingly natural, like he'd been doing it forever.

She remembered what Mrs. Hawthorne had said, about Dylan picking wildflowers at the old country chapel. She remembered hurling those flowers at him; he hadn't made a sound in protest.

She had no idea how long she drifted in her thoughts before the door creaked open again. Dylan stepped in, carrying a bowl of soup.

He gently helped her sit up, slipping a pillow behind her lower back.

He stirred the soup, scooped up a spoonful, and held it to her lips.

She drank, her eyes lingering on his face.

But Dylan wouldn't meet her gaze. He just quietly repeated the motion-scoop, feed, repeat-like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Clara ate until her stomach finally stopped aching. Only then did she speak, her voice hesitant. "You..."

She got the word out, then immediately turned away, embarrassed.

Even that small movement felt exhausting-her whole body was heavy and weak. Dylan just waited, holding the bowl, patient for whatever she wanted to say.

The silence pressed in, thick and tense, like he was waiting for his sentence to be passed.

If she'd remembered her past, she wouldn't be this gentle, she thought. But fate had been strangely generous to him.

before she dropped her eyes. "I'm

He finally

his gaze. Her cheeks went

of her words stuck in her throat, her face burning.

nothing. He just

leaned back, letting out a

of knew, deep down. I just... I thought you saw me as a stand-in. I

echoed in her mind. That night she'd been pushed into the pit, with

his legs, and he never

to her, and she'd

she'd told

considered that he

piece hidden where nobody could see. Who knew when

tried not to imagine what kind of love could drive

face was hot as

even made him look into Z, thinking he just didn't like Z for the same shallow reasons

it wasn't that. He just loved her too

hadn't realized this, she would've kept being cold, kept

she knew. And suddenly, she couldn't bear to hurt him

Dylan. I was... so slow to

it out loud made her feel lighter, like she

suddenly, his breath

eyes flew open, heart

didn't know how long he kissed her. Heat flushed

trying to push him

lips trailed down, hungry

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