Chapter 263 An Escape to the Riverwalk\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was impossible to tell how much time had passed. Just as Scarlett was finally on the verge of drifting off, Damian\u2019s voice cut through the quiet. \u201cLet\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was instantly alert. \u201cGo where?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pushed the blanket down and turned to look at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
go\u00a0<\/p>\n
out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian was lying on his side on her bed. He met her gaze and then jerked his chin toward the window. \u201cOut there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was startled. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take you to the night market downtown,\u201d he said, his voice low. \u201cThe one by the river. You can set out those floating lanterns they have. Make a wish.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The suggestion stirred something unexpected in Scarlett. A flicker of longing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had gone to college here in Rivergate. Years ago, she\u2019d visited that very riverwalk night market with her roommates. But that felt like a lifetime ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though she\u2019d always lived in the city, since having Vanessa, her own life had shrunk to the margins. Any outing had to be planned around her daughter\u2019s needs and moods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing Damian mention it now sparked a genuine interest. When she\u2019d gone with her friends, she\u2019d been captivated by the vibrant energy, the strings of lights, the smell of food in the cool air. She hadn\u2019t been back in years and found she suddenly wanted to see it again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her silent contemplation, Damian knew she was tempted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He knew she\u2019d also talk herself out of it. So he didn\u2019t give her the chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He swung his legs off the bed and strode toward the sofa. \u201cWell?\u201d he asked, a challenge in his tone. \u201cAre you getting up, or do I need to come over and persuade you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He deliberately let the question hang. Hearing it, Scarlett sat bolt upright. \u201cFine. I\u2019m up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen go change,\u201d he said, nodding toward her closet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett got off the sofa, found a pair of jeans and a sweater in her wardrobe, and made a beeline for the bathroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching her retreat, Damian couldn\u2019t resist a jab. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter? Think I\u2019m going to pounce? You have to change in another room?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:01 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 263 An Escape to the Riverwalk\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett ignored him and shut the bathroom door behind her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she emerged, Damian was still standing in the same spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her, he stepped forward, slid an arm around her waist, and looked down at her. \u201cShall we use the front door?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The suggestion horrified her. \u201cAbsolutely not. Nathan and Violet would see us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian laughed softly. \u201cWhat? That scared of getting caught with me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett tried to push his hand away, but he only held her tighter. He guided her toward the window, a grin spreading across his face. \u201cHold on tight, sweetheart. Around my waist. Don\u2019t let go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could fully process the instruction, he reached down and grabbed a thick, anchored rope she hadn\u2019t noticed on the floor. He looped it deftly around his wrist and forearm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, with a slight tensing of his body, he gave a signal. A powerful pull came from above.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian moved with it, swinging out the window in one smooth motion, his arm locked securely around Scarlett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just like that, they were pulled clear of the windowsill and into the open air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A rush of terror stole Scarlett\u2019s breath. There was no time to protest. As they dangled, her fear instinct took over. She clutched desperately at his jacket, her legs wrapping around his waist of their own accord, terrified she\u2019d fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian showed no fear. He looked utterly calm, even amused, as he glanced down at her clinging to him. Her panicked grip seemed to delight him, and a low laugh rumbled in his chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The descent was controlled and swift. Soon, Damian\u2019s feet touched the soft grass of the lawn. below. Scarlett, still wrapped around him like a koala, hadn\u2019t yet registered they were safely down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her like that, Damian\u2019s laughter broke free. He patted her back gently. \u201cWe\u2019re down, sweetheart. You can let go now. Afraid I\u2019ll vanish?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett, her face buried against his shoulder, didn\u2019t move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile softened. He leaned his head down, his lips close to her ear, and murmured with a tenderness that surprised even him, \u201cIt\u2019s okay. I\u2019m not going anywhere. I\u2019m right here. But if you hold on any tighter, you might just squeeze the life out of me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was still trembling, lost in the aftershock of adrenaline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:01 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 263 An Escape to the Riverwalk\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Worried, Damian carefully pried her loose enough to look at her face. To his shock, her cheeks were wet with tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His amusement vanished, replaced by instant concern. His hands came up to frame her face. \u201cHey, what\u2019s wrong? What did I do? Did I scare you that much?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally feeling the solid ground beneath her feet, Scarlett\u2019s grip slowly relaxed. She swiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand and shook her head, avoiding his intense gaze. \u201cI\u2019m okay. It was just\u2026 a lot. The height.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian searched her face, not entirely convinced. \u201cReally?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, really,\u201d she insisted, her voice still a little unsteady.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing the lingering sadness in her damp eyes, a different suspicion crept into his mind. His voice was quieter, more tentative, when he asked, \u201cAre you\u2026 thinking about Vincent again?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:01 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 264 Trinkets and Whispered Promises\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 263 Chapter 263 An Escape to the Riverwalk\u00a0 66\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 It was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27627\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}