The BUZZ of the hairdryer filled the air. Walker Grant could feel her standing right in front of him. He only needed to reach out to touch her, or perhaps, if he wanted to cross the line, he could claim her—claim her with reckless abandon.
But her heart was no longer his. After what happened last night, he realized with agonizing clarity that she truly didn’t love him anymore.
Over eight years ago, during the earthquake, she had risked her life to find him. Even though she had saved the wrong person back then, her heart and eyes had been filled entirely with him. As for last night, he wasn’t sure if she had heard the mercenaries’ broadcast, nor did he have the right to blame her.
He was glad she was safe. Yet, alongside that relief was an unconcealable sense of loss and sorrow. This grief tore at him like the crashing waves of a dark abyss, leaving him without even the courage to raise his arms and embrace her.
Her short hair dried quickly. The BUZZ of the hairdryer ceased, and as she turned to put it away, her presence suddenly drew further away. An unprompted wave of panic seized Walker’s heart.
"Chloe!" he called out, his voice practically trembling.
Unable to see, he reached out, desperately trying to touch her. In that moment, he was a picture of bewildered panic, as helpless as an abandoned puppy.
"Hmm?" Chloe Reed turned around. Seeing him like this only deepened the confusion on her face. She wondered what exactly was wrong with him. Walking back, she took his hand.
The moment he felt her warmth, he grasped her hand tightly and pulled her back into his arms.
"You..." His Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to ask something, but in the end, the words failed him.
He thought back to their original agreement: as soon as he recovered, she would leave. Her resolve to leave had never wavered. He was the one who had been doing everything in his power, using any means necessary, to make her stay. He had mistaken her softheartedness for love. Because of that, he had even considered remaining blind for the rest of his life. At least that way, she would stay by his side forever. Once they grew old, would she really still have the energy to think about leaving?
He knew he was despicable for using his injuries to garner her pity. But today, he made the tragic realization that he couldn’t even hold on to that pity anymore. She was already capable of disregarding him and caring for another man.
Walker held her tightly, his arms continuously tightening as if trying to siphon life force directly from her body.
Chloe was starting to lose her breath. She pushed against his chest and said, "Let go."
"I won’t," Walker said hoarsely. He had never intended to let her go. She had been the one to pursue him back then. She had wanted to be with him, and he had said yes. The day he accepted her, he had committed to a lifetime. And since it was a lifetime, not a single day or hour could be spared. They couldn’t part—not for the rest of their lives.
As if possessed by a manic desperation, Walker didn’t release her; instead, he began to kiss her. He pushed her shirt up, pressing his faintly trembling lips against her stomach.
A shudder ran through Chloe. She looked down at him in sheer disbelief. His hands were restless, caressing her, desperate for some kind of response. But Chloe resisted. Pushing him away, she said, "I’m very tired... I need to rest."
After surviving last night’s harrowing ordeal, she had absolutely no desire for intimacy. Besides, she had noticed something was off about Walker the moment she saw him lying alone on the sofa earlier today. His entire demeanor was strange. He seemed terrified. She wondered what he was so afraid of. Wasn’t she perfectly fine? They were both perfectly fine.