Chapter 320
Chapter 320:
Then, in a voice meant only for me, he added, “Come on—unless you want me to kiss you in front of everyone p>
I snapped my mouth shut, cheeks burning, and looked down. His hold didn’t loosen as we slipped out through the hospital doors.
“So where are we buying those snacks?” he asked, glancing at me.
“Somewhere at the edge of the universe.” I gave him a mischievous smile.
He stopped so abruptly that I had to stop, too. A smile spread across his face.
“Excellent answer, love. I hope you keep surprising me p>
𝖯о𝗉𝘂l𝖺r s𝘁𝗈𝗿𝗂𝘦s 𝗈𝗻 𝗀𝗮lո𝗈𝘷𝘦𝗅ѕ.𝘤оm
I rolled my eyes in exaggerated disbelief and sighed loudly, which made him laugh—and made me laugh, too.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked.
My laughter lingered as I shook my head. Honestly, I hadn’t expected him to tease like that.
After a brief pause, he looked at me again. “Why don’t we take the car p>
“Why bother? There’s a store right across the street p>
Four bodyguards followed us as we crossed, and their presence was impossible to ignore. I was just about to reach the store when someone on the corner caught my attention—a woman whose face I would recognize anywhere.
“Layla?” I whispered, my heart pounding as I recognized her.
I yanked my hand free from Daniel’s grip and ran toward where I’d seen her. Daniel’s voice thundered behind me, calling my name, but I barely heard him as I pushed forward, desperate to find her in the crowd.
“I can’t lose her again. Please, not this time. Please—just let me find her p>
I kept whispering the words under my breath, begging for help.
I scanned every face on the crowded street, my pulse quickening with every second that passed without her appearing. Frustration swelled inside me, blurring my vision with tears.
Someone grabbed my arm, but I tore free and cried out in anguish. “No! Where did you go p>
“Who are you chasing? Why did you run off all of a sudden p>
Daniel tried to steady me, but I resisted his hold, too lost in panic to answer. He asked again, louder this time.
“Where is she? Who are you looking for p>
Tears slid down my cheeks as I bit my lip hard, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to break free. I closed my eyes and let myself cry, unable to do anything else.
“She got away again.” My words came out low, but the pain was impossible to hide. “I lost her p>
“Are you talking about your mother p>
The question startled me. I looked up at him, shocked that he’d actually heard my confession. I quickly wiped my cheeks and turned toward the bright lights of the convenience store.
“Wait. You’re dodging my question.” He caught my arm before I could escape. “Who is she? Why were you chasing her p>
I lowered my head, refusing to meet his gaze.
“It’s nothing. Just someone from another life. Let’s get what we came for,” I said, walking away and leaving him on the sidewalk, baffled.