Chapter 32
We only parted briefly after disembarking. I had to go through the arrival gate to face the cameras, while Gordon, whose arrival was supposed to be a secret, went directly to the hotel.
By the time I arrived at my hotel, the view from my balcony stopped me in my tracks. -the Eiffel Tower.
Its golden lights sparkled against the night sky, and for a brief moment, it was
breathtaking since memories crashed over me like a tidal wave.
The Eiffel Tower had been the backdrop of Anthony’s proposal, a night filled with promises of forever. And it was also in Paris where everything had fallen apart.
The ache in my chest returned, and I turned away from the view. “I want to
sleep early,” I told Rita, forcing a small smile.
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“Of course. You must be exhausted,” she replied kindly. “I’ll wake you up
tomorrow morning for breakfast.”
But sleep did not come easily. My mind was a battlefield, and the past refused to stay
buried.
Nightmares plagued me. I dreamed of Julie’s threats, her cruel words echoing in
my ears.
I dreamed of attending her wedding to Anthony, standing in the crowd as she laughed and London mocked me, calling me barren and unworthy for could not having a kid.
The humiliation, the pain, the helplessness -they all suffocated me, pulling me under.
I woke up gasping, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. But what surprised me was Gordon already sleeping beside me. His hand held mine tightly, his expression soft with concern.
“You woke up in shock this time because
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of a nightmare, didn’t you?” Gordon asked, his voice calm and soothing.
I nodded slowly, feeling the remnants of my dream clawing at my mind.
Third now, I had woken up to find Gordon beside me, but that time, instead of confusion, I felt gratitude. There was someone there–someone who stayed. And that person was Gordon.
Gordon’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he scooted closer. Without hesitation, I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest like a child seeking the warmth of a hug. His arms enveloped me, his hand softly patting my back.
“I can promise to protect you from anything,” he murmured, his voice steady and reassuring, “but nightmares? I’m afraid they’re beyond my expertise. Try thinking of something good before you sleep next time. Maybe that’ll keep the bad dreams away.
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of a nightmare, didn’t you?” Gordon asked, his voice calm and soothing.
I nodded slowly, feeling, the remnants of my dream clawing at my mind.
Third now, I had woken up to find Gordon beside me, but that time, instead of confusion, I felt gratitude. There was someone there–someone who stayed. And that person was Gordon.
Gordon’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he scooted closer. Without hesitation, I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest like a child seeking the warmth of a hug. His arms enveloped me, his hand softly patting my back.
“I can promise to protect you from anything,” he murmured, his voice steady and reassuring, “but nightmares? I‘ m afraid they’re beyond my expertise. Try thinking of something good before your sleep next time. Maybe that‘ I keep the bad dreams away.
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“After all, Valerie,” he whispered to me, “you’re not Daisy anymore. You‘ re my Valerie now.”
I could hear his heartbeat, irregular and quick. It made me smile faintly despite my heavy thoughts. “I don‘ t think your heartbeat will let me sleep right now,” teased softly.
“I’m sorry,” Gordon replied with a slight chuckle, “I can’t control that either.”
“That’s okay,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I love it. I love how it beats because you‘ re near me.”
His chest rose and fell sharply at my words, and he asked in a deep, almost hesitant voice, “But…are you feeling the same as I do?”
