Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through the thin layers of their clothing, Damian could feel the soft curves of Scarlett\u2019s body. His face flushed a deep, warm red, heat spreading across his skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unaware of the effect she was having, Scarlett nestled even closer, her movements sleepy and unguarded:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDamian,\u201d she murmured, her mind still hazy with fever, \u201chold me a little tighter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her mind was swimming in a haze, foggy and unfocused. She couldn\u2019t believe she\u2019d let such a needy request slip out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian drew her closer, wrapping his arms around her as if he could shield her from everything\u2013pulling her gently but firmly against him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pressed against the steady warmth of his chest, Scarlett gradually relaxed, her breathing slowing as she drifted back into a light sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only when he was sure she was deeply asleep did Damian allow his own grip to loosen slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still mindful that she might be chilled, he carefully tucked the blanket around her shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He held her like that for a long while, not daring to move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even when his arm grew stiff and numb, he didn\u2019t shift\u00a0<\/p>\n
away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
About half an hour later, Scarlett stirred in her sleep, turning slightly away from him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian looked down at her face\u2013peaceful, soft, and unguarded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He rarely saw her this relaxed around him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sight stirred something tender in him. Without thinking, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t wake, still lost in quiet sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Holding her like something fragile and precious, Damian felt a swell of quiet happiness- followed almost instantly by a pang of fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was afraid that when she woke, she would pull away. Maybe even blame him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This closeness felt borrowed, temporary, something meant only for the dark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How he wished time could freeze just like this\u2013with Scarlett safe in his arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:03 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 282 Tender Moments\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another half hour passed before a nurse came in to disconnect the IV.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She worked quietly, but not long after she left, Scarlett\u2019s eyes fluttered open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her gaze was still cloudy with sleep as she found Damian\u2019s face so close to hers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her awake, Damian\u2019s expression softened with a touch of melancholy. He parted his lips but didn\u2019t speak.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett realized he was still holding her. She didn\u2019t push him away or make a scene\u2013she stayed calm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even feverish, she remembered\u2013she had asked him to hold her. She couldn\u2019t blame him now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a quiet moment, she lifted a hand slightly and touched his chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDamian,\u201d she said softly, a little embarrassed, \u201cI need to use the restroom.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When her first words weren\u2019t a demand to let go, something tight in Damian\u2019s chest eased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A relieved smile touched his lips as he carefully shifted to sit up. \u201cI\u2019ll carry you,\u201d he offered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett felt sticky and uncomfortable\u2013suddenly self\u2013conscious. What if she smelled of sweat and fever?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have a fever,\u201d she murmured weakly. \u201cI can walk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The light in Damian\u2019s eyes dimmed almost instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could explain further, he was already off the bed. He drew back the blanket, slid his arms beneath her, and lifted her firmly against his chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking down at her, his gaze was intent, his tone leaving no room for argument. \u201cI\u2019m carrying you, Scarlett. Don\u2019t try to talk me out of it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Too weak to protest, she gave in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian carried her into the bathroom and set her down carefully on the floor mat, then returned to fetch her slippers from beside the bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back in the bathroom, he knelt, lifted one foot and then the other, slipping the slippers on with gentle care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once they were on, he straightened. \u201cTake your time,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI won\u2019t look. I\u2019ll be right here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
C\u00a0<\/p>\n
20:03 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 282 Tender Moments\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned his back to her, standing perfectly still.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even with him facing away, Scarlett felt awkward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDamian,\u201d she whispered, \u201ccould you wait outside?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
He paused, then nodded. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll be right outside the door. Call me when you\u2019re done.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stepped out, closing the door behind him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing his silhouette through the frosted glass, Scarlett still locked the door\u2013just in case.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After using the toilet and washing her hands, she unlocked it and pulled the door open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Damian was already leaning in, his face full of concern. \u201cYou okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing the worry etched between his brows, Scarlett felt a confusing rush of emotions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A guy like him\u2013known for being a player\u2013could he really care this much?\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was hard to believe. Part of her wondered if it was all just an act.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe, in his eyes, she was useful in some way. A means to an end.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If not\u2026 she couldn\u2019t think of any other reason he\u2019d be so attentive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\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 282 Finished\u00a0 Through the thin layers of their clothing, Damian could feel […]<\/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-27646","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\/27646","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=27646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27646\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}