You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 2086: Do You Understand Love?

On the cliff, behind a large rock.

Joyce leaned against the stone, trying to sleep but not daring to fully fall asleep. If she slept too deeply, she would lose consciousness, and any accidental exposure of her body or head could mean instant death. She only dared to close her eyes and rest.

From time to time, she called out to Clint to remind him not to fall asleep.

"Hey," Joyce called out. When Clint didn't answer, she raised her voice and called again, "Hey!"

"I have a name," Clint finally responded. "I'm not asleep. Call me by my name, call me Clint."

He wished she would call him like she used to.

Joyce ignored him. "If you're not asleep, why didn't you respond? Sniping is about endurance; hang in there. If you want to die, wait until this is over and undo the curse for me before you do."

Clint remained silent.

She truly didn't give him any kindness.

"You're a sharpshooter. Do you understand long-distance sniping as well?" Clint tried to engage her in conversation. He was genuinely tired; after all, he had been shot, losing blood and energy.

"I didn't before, but I learned a lot from my mother later on," Joyce answered softly. She could tell from his voice that the bleeding had stopped.

"Being born into a military family makes you different. Joyce, you're unlike any woman I've ever known," Clint said softly, his voice carried by the wind.

for shooting, the training process was grueling. No matter how sad or repressed I felt inside, I had no one to

turned his gaze towards Joyce. He could feel her breathing

it from her own mouth made the weight of it real. She

and endless, with no end in sight, deep and unknown, not knowing life or death or future. That feeling of helplessness and confusion-I experienced it. I was rescued and survived. That's why I saved you. Had

Joyce spoke to herself.

silent; so that's

family or support. That's why I

so much hardship to rescue her from Athena's hands, Iris refused to acknowledge me at first. It took all my effort for her to finally call me 'Mommy.' We had only reunited for a few months. Do you know that I've only been reunited with my parents for less than a year? I've never even had the chance to properly honor them. Do

were over, peaceful days awaited me. But you've ruined everything. You kidnapped

you even

using unheard-of dark magic."

you nor escape your

a deep breath. "Forget

all this-perhaps because time passed too slowly and boredom set

he hadn't known before-details he couldn't have found in any information he dug up about her-and

in her voice-a hoarseness and

away and tried hard to breathe deeply as she swallowed back her

nothing," she said while secretly wiping away tears from the corners

with me once we get out alive," she said

to go back?"

course! Do you think I'm

with no regard for kinship? You're just a lunatic," Joyce sneered coldly.

This is all your