Chap-82*The Burning Sensation.*

Cynthia Dion:

I just sat there in silence, even as he gently pushed my hair away from my face. It was like I'd forgotten how to move a muscle.

"Cynthia! Are you okay?" He seemed a bit puzzled by my shaken state. Given the strong dislike I'd shown him before, my sudden change must have surprised him. He probably expected me to push him away. However, I was so exhausted and frightened by everyone that I simply wished for them to be kind.

"I'm f---ine. Just please, don't leave me alone here." I clung to his shirt, drawing myself closer to him, as if I feared Atticus might snatch me away. It was an odd feeling that had come out of nowhere.

"Yeah, I won't," he gently held my face in his hands and planted a kiss on my forehead. Even though I still shivered in disgust, for some reason, I felt more afraid of Atticus than him this time.

"We can have lunch together after I get ready. Charlotte mentioned that you haven't eaten or left your room," he said before heading into the restroom.

As he