Chapter 65

In the vague sleep, the pain on Thama's face became more and more intense.

Unconsciously, it eased slowly with the sound coming from her ears. "Thama." The low voice, the bewitching taste—so clear, so familiar. Is that you? The ups and downs of the dream were reversed in an instant, as if she had gone back many years.

When she was 7 or 10, she was standing by the gate at the Canon Mansion during the holiday. It was James Canon's request. Although she was very young, she barely had any friends to play with in the area.

She stood at the gate, holding a bouquet, and wearing boyfriend jeans with a vest.

Many children passed around looking at her. She had a hat on, which made her look beautiful, but under the hat was her sweaty and pale face. Her father, James Canon, had passed the arrival time, and Thelma, her mother, was out of the country for a business meeting.

She began walking down the road in the direction from which his car had arrived the night befo