“Please go back inside and get some rest as well.


    I’ll make sure to visit often.


    ”


    Lucia nodded in response and released her hand.


    The car began its slow departure.


    Ste kept her gaze affixed to the passing scenery outside her window.


    Matthew caught a glimpse of her profile and suggested, “You should stay at Prosper Bay tonight.


    ”


    Startled by his proposition, Ste turned to him with wide eyes.


    Matthew borated, “You’ve left the hospital, but your wounds are still healing.


    The thought of you being alone concerns me.


    My house has your room ready.


    You’re wee to stay there during your recovery.


    ”


    Ste hesitated, her response caught in her throat.


    Undeterred, Matthew pressed on, “If you’re notfortable with that, I’ll move into your studio.


    But you can’t let me sleep on the sofa all the time, can you? Sleeping on the sofa is really ufortable.


    ”


    Ste blinked, then finally nodded, and her face turned pink.


    Matthew’s smile grew wider as he caught the subtle hint of her shyness.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    That evening, Ste retired to her former room.


    It was immacte, as though it had been cleaned daily.


    She surrendered to sleep swiftly after her nightly routine.


    Yet, deep into the night, nightmares jolted her awake.


    Ste’s scream tore through the silence as she bolted upright, a sheen of sweat coating her brow as she surveyed the unfamiliar room.


    Only the rhythmic knocking at the door anchored her back to reality.


    Matthew entered, flicking on the light switch and rushing to her side.


    “What’s the matter? What happened?” he inquired, dabbing at her forehead with tissues.


    Huddled against his chest, Ste trembled, the haunting images lingering.


    “Ever since the ident, the same dream haunts me.


    It features a young couple and myself as a child.


    I call them Dad and Mom…”


    She frowned as she tried to reconstruct the vision from her dream.


    “But for some reason, they insisted on leaving and said goodbye to me.


    Could there be any usible reason for my parents to leave me at an orphanage?”


    Ste looked up at Matthew, eyes brimming with a mixture of hope and confusion.