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.

I had a talent for shooting, the training process was grueling. No matter how sad or repressed I felt inside, I had no one to release my stress or confide in," Joyce laughed self-deprecatingly. "Do you know that I've only been recognized by the Heath family for less than a year? Do you think I'm some high-and-mighty princess who grew up pampered and privileged

towards Joyce. He could

knew some of her past, but hearing it from her own mouth made the weight of it real. She had endured so much pain; her

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 I

Joyce spoke to herself.

stayed silent; so that's how it

reminded me of myself-not knowing my origins, having no family or support. That's why I took you in. You took advantage of

turned one month old? How much I miss them? Do you know that I was separated from my daughter for four years? After going through 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 you know that Anderson and I rely on each other so much that

together? Our wedding was delayed by four years. Even though I said it didn't matter, deep down, I still hoped for it. I thought that after all the hardships were over, peaceful days awaited me. But you've ruined everything. You kidnapped me to a foreign land with no family around; I can't hear their voices or see their smiles-l want to go home so badly that staying here even one more day feels unbearable. And yet you casually say I'll stay here

you

using unheard-of dark magic."

toughest opponent I've ever faced-I can't kill you nor escape

and took a deep breath.

even know why she had told him all this-perhaps because

about things he hadn't known before-details he couldn't have found in any information he dug up about her-and realized how tough her journey

you crying?" He noticed something off in her voice-a hoarseness and pauses-so she hadn't continued

hard to breathe deeply as she swallowed back

from the corners of her eyes-tears she refused to admit

with me once we get out alive," she said

really want to go back?" Clint asked

course! Do you think I'm

for kinship? You're just a lunatic," Joyce sneered coldly. "Now

is all your