Chapter 147


    After the kidnapping ordeal, ra was haunted by shadows that clung to the edges of her mind.


    She would sleep with the lights on, and half–conscious images ofn fighting off attackers swirled in


    her mind’s eye.


    She dreamt ofn being beaten, his body lying bloody and still upon the ground. ra woke


    suddenly from these nightmares,n’s name a desperate whisper on her lips.


    Only upon opening her eyes would she realize it was just a dream.


    Just as she was about to sigh in relief, the door creaked open and a tall silhouette stumbled into


    view.n rushed to the bedside. His touch on her forehead was gentle, and his voice was gravelly


    with concern. “It’s okay. It was just a dream.”


    ra, shaking off her stupor, stared at him bewildered. “How are you here?”


    “I was worried you’d be scared, so I came to keep youpany. I saw you were asleep, and I didn’t


    want to disturb you. I was just on the couch outside.”


    He said it so calmly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, as if they were any normal


    couple.


    A flicker of emotion passed through ra’s eyes, but her voice was cold as ice. “You should go. I’m


    fine.”


    “Why were you calling for me if you’re fine?”n ruffled her hair soothingly. “It’s just four in the


    morning. Get some more sleep. Don’t you have court tomorrow?” He tucked her in. His movements


    were devoid of any ulterior motive. His gaze lingered on ra for a few seconds before he smiled


    and said, “I’ll step out. Get


    some more rest.”


    Once the door closed behind him, ra’s heart finally began to slow its frantic pace. Whether it was


    sheer exhaustion or the sense of securityn’s presence provided, she fell into a deep and peaceful


    sleep.


    That was until she was roused by the sound of men’s voices outside. She stepped out of the


    bedroom. ra’s eyes fell on two enormous suitcases in the living room. Dawson stood opposite


    lan, delivering a report.


    A sense of foreboding washed over ra, and her expression became one of rejection. “What are


    you nning?”


    At the mention of that name, ra felt a tremor in her fingertips. The mere thought of that woman


    left a deep scar in her soul. In a rough voice, she said, “Ryker is here. There’s no need for Mr.


    Hayes to trouble yourself. Please, go.”


    She made a beeline for the suitcases, determined to toss them out the door, butn caught her


    wrist. “ra, if they’ve taken Victoria, they’ll use her against you. I can’t let you get hurt by her


    again. I need to protect you.”


    ra pulled away fromn’s grasp, her gaze icy. “As long as you stay away from me, I’ll be safe. If


    you hadn’t harassed me on social media, I wouldn’t have been kidnapped. If you hadn’t insisted I be


    your date for your anniversary celebration, Victoria wouldn’t have threatened me. Haven’t you


    realized it yet? You’re the disaster that’se into my life.”


    “Whether you treated me as a fling or like a sugar baby these past three years, I don’t care


    anymore. I want a clean break from you, no more ties. I just want to live the life I choose, quietly


    and peacefully. Can’t you grant me that one wish?”


    ra’s tone was steady and resolute, devoid of any lingering affection. Her eyes were filled with a


    chilling detachment. It was thest thingn wanted to see. He moved closer. His gaze lowered to


    hers. “ra, do you really despise me that much? Are you really that repelled by the thought of us


    together?”


    A mocking smile briefly crossed ra’s face. n, from the day you told me it was all just a game of


    lust and not love, my feelings for you died. I don’t want us to end this way. We both live in


    Northbridge, bound to run into each other. Wouldn’t it be better to leave some room for civility?” Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.