Chapter 146
Chapter 146:
That storm had been no less violent than the one raging now.
Overcome with fear, she curled beneath the blankets. Thunder crashed again and again, so close it felt as though it was breaking right beside the bed. Lightning split the darkness, sharp and blinding, as if it might strike at any moment. Her trembling only worsened.
Then, suddenly, a warm embrace surrounded her.
Once she realized it was Colton, she grabbed onto him without hesitation and held on like a lifeline, desperate for whatever safety he could offer.
For a moment, memory and reality overlapped.
Then a thunderous crash tore through the room. Lifting her head, Kristine saw the door burst open — and in the doorway stood a figure lit starkly by lightning, his features sharp and handsome yet chillingly devoid of warmth.
Shock widened her eyes.
“Colton.” Panic ripped through Kristine as she jolted upright, clutching the blanket and pulling it close as if it were her only shield. “How did you even find this place p>
Without offering a single word, he advanced toward her, his expression heavy and unreadable. The closer he came, the harder she trembled, her teeth beginning to clack against each other. “Why are you here? We have nothing left between us. That ended a long time ago p>
𝖶𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗅𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇
Colton refused to answer. Instead, he grabbed her wrist with an unyielding grip.
A scream tore from Kristine’s throat — and was immediately interrupted by a voice filled with concern.
“Kristy, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare p>
Still disoriented, Kristine blinked several times before Susan’s face came into focus. Only then did she slowly grasp that the terrifying encounter had never been real.
Her gaze darted toward the door despite herself, and although her chest still felt tight, the empty doorway was enough to let her breathe again. “I’m all right now, Mrs. Bailey p>
Susan glanced toward the window as thunder rumbled and lightning flashed. “The storm must have frightened you. I’ll stay right here with you — try to get some rest p>
Relief settled into Kristine’s chest and the tension finally eased. With Susan in the room, calm gradually replaced fear, and Kristine slipped back into a deep and quiet sleep.
Morning light greeted her when she opened her eyes, and she felt surprisingly rested, as though the nightmare had never happened. Even so, a faint unease refused to fade, and a dark feeling lingered quietly at the back of her thoughts.
Before she realized it, Friday had come.
Carrying a basket of groceries, Susan walked into the kitchen and spoke up. “Helen will be coming back tonight. I need to pick up a few things, so stay here and wait for me p>
“All right p>
Once Susan stepped out, Kristine grew restless and eventually turned back to her study materials. While reading through her notes, she found herself wondering when she would finally be able to return to the Arbfact Institute.
She was so absorbed in her work that the sound of the door opening escaped her entirely.