233 Connection With The Strange Woman
Jealousy,
The same thing that was choking me.
Because watching them act like that–like they were in love, like they belonged together–felt like a knife twisting into my chest.
Rebecca looked down quickly, biting her lower lip. Damien, surprisingly, didn’t argue. He simply reached for his wine glass.
“I understand,” he said after a pause, his tone cool. “We’ll keep it down.”
I frowned and looked away, but just then Damien’s phone rang, and he excused himself. The moment he left, my eyes fell on her and I could see her uneasiness… clearly, she wasn’t comfortable. Before any of us could say a word, she pushed her chair back abruptly.
“Please excuse me… I beg to take my leave,” she said hastily, and didn’t wait for anyone to respond before walking away.
Everything in me screamed to go after her–to follow her. But I forced myself to stare down at my untouched plate instead.
I pushed the food around on my plate, but every bite felt like sand in
my mouth.
My appetite vanished the moment she left the table.
Everything in me wanted to run after her. Ask her why she looked so uneasy. Ask her why the moment Damien left the room, her smile disappeared like it was never real.
But I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the urge.
Without saying a word, I stood up from the table, ignoring the way Louis shot me a knowing look. Lennox didn’t say anything either, but his eyes followed me as I walked
away.
I needed to get back to my room and calm my racing heart.
I started climbing the stairs, heading toward my room, but halfway down the hallway, I saw her.
Leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.
My heart dropped.
233 Connection With The Strange Woman
“Hey!” I rushed to her without a second thought, panic tightening in my chest. “Are you okay?! What’s wrong?”
She clutched her chest, her face pale. “My heart…” she said breathlessly. “It’s sharp… the pain–just sudden… but it’s easing.”
I hovered over her, unsure what to do. “Should I call the healer?”
“No,” she shook her head, still breathless. “Just… help me to my room. Please.”
I nodded quickly and moved to wrap an arm around her shoulders–but she was barely able to stand.
Without thinking, I scooped her into my arms.
She gasped lightly, but then her body relaxed against me.
I didn’t understand why the feel of her in my arms felt so natural.
So right.
I carried her gently down the hall. When we reached the room, I pushed the door open with my shoulder and walked in.
Carefully, I laid her down on the bed–but before I could pull away, her arms wrapped around me, holding me in place.
Her face was close.
So close.
Our foreheads nearly touched, our breath mingling. Her lips were parted slightly, eyes wide.
For one heartbeat, everything stopped.
It felt like I’d done this before.
Held her before.
Breathed her in like this before.
My lips inched closer, instinct driving me to kiss her. But just before our lips could meet, I stopped.
5.6
233 Connection With The Strange Woman
Reality crashed back in.
I cleared my throat and slowly pulled back. “Are you okay now?” I asked quietly, keeping my eyes on hers.
She nodded softly. “Yes… I’m okay. You don’t have to worry.”
But I did.
I didn’t say it, but I did.
I stood up slowly and headed for the door, hand on the knob–still rattled by everything I’d just felt.
I opened it—and nearly collided with Damien.
His cold eyes moved from me to her, lying on the bed, then back to me, and his gaze narrowed sharply.
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