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71: Bonding time

Author: Ahsia Risan
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-10 06:00:30

Rafael’s POV

I hadn’t been able to sleep the whole night.

My head was a mess. And my chest? Worse. The whole night, I’d turned over and over in my bed with memories crawling beneath my skin like they were waiting to suffocate me. Adriana sitting on my lap with that stunned look in her eyes, the small wince she made when her wound shifted, the way her lips parted when I touched her skin.

It was all still so vivid almost too vivid. Every part of her was like a brand seared into me. I couldn’t get rid of her even if I tried. So I didn’t try. I gave up on sleep, got dressed and decided to run early in the morning.

The early morning air was crisp and still damp with dew. Everything was quieter than usual like the whole estate was still asleep except the birds and me. I stepped out stretching my arms and rolling my shoulders as I walked down the stairs.

I was halfway to the east trail when I saw two familiar figures ahead of me near the hedge garden. It was Anna and Isabella. With the lat
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