CHAPTER 303 TERROR AND FEAR

The morning sun was harsh against Claire’s face as it shone past the opened curtains, burning her until she shifted from her position and awoke. She didn’t leave the bed, only lying still as her body ached in places where Hudson’s grip had been. Her hands came up to her throat, raw from where Hudson’s hands had squeezed the life out of her. When she closed her eyes and unconsciously envisioned the moment, it felt like his hands were still on her. Every breath she took felt like it scraped against her bruised windpipe, but she didn’t cry anymore. There were no more tears left, just a cold numbness that had settled in her chest, spreading through her like poison. The bed felt cold beside her, and Hudson had refused to sleep; she couldn’t believe a part of her had gotten accustomed to the way she woke up after they had sex. Warm and secure in Hudson’s hold. Though he wasn’t any of that after last night, and she was happy to know that he had left early, as always, for his duties as