Chapter 120. Sheltered by Illusions

Connie POV

My heart hammered as Chase guided me out of the kitchen, his hand firm around my waist. I could practically feel the tension still clinging to my skin, left behind by Adam's furious glare. That confrontation had jolted me badly, far more than I cared to admit. Yet the shock of seeing Chase rush to my defence overshadowed everything else. No one had ever bothered to stand up for me like that.

My breath caught in my throat the moment we stepped into the hallway. The old wood panels were dimly lit—only a distant lamp near the stairs offered any real glow. The hush of early morning wrapped around us, neither of us daring to speak above a murmur. My body was still trembling, half from fear, half from that odd exhilaration of being protected. Despite myself, I pressed closer to him, savouring the illusion that he truly cared. I knew how to exploit illusions—I was the master at that. But for the first time, I wanted to believe this particular one was real.

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