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Chapter 157
How did I end up here? Last night I had such a vivid dream. I was back on that beach from five years ago. The scene where Laurel rescued me when I was blind played over and over. I kept calling out to her, but no matter how much I called, she never answered…
I raised a hand to my forehead, wincing when my fingers touched bandages. Memories of the previous night rushed back.
I remember now. Last night I was in a car crash with Audrey. In that moment, I was terrified she’d get hurt. I shielded her with my body without thinking…
I recalled Audrey’s frightened eyes looking up at me before impact, her voice shaking as she asked, ‘Are we… going to die?
The memory jolted me fully awake. I sat up, Ignoring the pain that shot through my head.
“Audrey!”
A tired voice responded from beside the bed. “What is it? You’re awake?”
I turned to see Audrey sitting in a chair next to the bed. She straightened, stifling a yawn. “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and exhaustion lined her face. Had she been up all night? Something tightened in my chest. My voice softened without me meaning it to.
“Why didn’t you rest in one of the guest rooms?”
Audrey yawned again as she stood. “Your wound got slightly infected last night and you had a fever. I was worried your condition might worsen during the night.”
I studied her tired face, feeling guilty. “I’m a grown man. Even with a fever, nothing serious would have happened. You didn’t need to stay up all night.”
She shook her head. “When you had a fever, you were delirious. Someone needed to be with you. Back when you were in a coma…” She stopped abruptly, regret crossing her face.
“Sorry,” she said, turning away. Her tone shifted. “You must be hungry. I’ll make you some breakfast.” She walked out
without looking back.
I watched her disappear, something twisting in my gut. I reached for my phone, only to find the screen shattered beyond
use.
With a frown, I dragged myself out of bed/ After splashing water on my face and brushing my teeth, I headed downstairs, following the smell of fresh dough.
In the kitchen, Audrey stood with her back to me, kneading dough. Her hair was pulled back, an apron tied around her
waist.
with
“Can I borrow your phone?” I asked,
Audrey turned to face me, flour covering her hands. She lifted the edge of her apron, revealing her phone in her pocket.
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Chapter 157
My eyes instinctively dropped to her waist, then lingered on her abdomen.
“You’ll have to get it yourself,” she said. “My hands are covered in flour.”
I moved closer to get her phone. My hand brushed against her stomach as I reached for it.
The thin fabric between us did nothing to mask her body heat. My fingers lingered a second too long.
Old memories rushed back – tangled sheets, her skin against mine. The kitchen suddenly felt suffocating.
Audrey glanced up, catching me staring.
Our eyes locked.
Three years of marriage had taught us to read each other without words. The air crackled between us.
I set her phone on the counter, my decision made before I realized it.
In one swift motion, I scooped her up and placed her on the clean countertop across the kitchen.
The cold surface made her shiver. I stepped between her knees, my thumb tracing her bottom lip as I leaned in.
Just as our lips were about to meet, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the villa.
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