Chapter 285

NATALIE’S POV Warmth. That was the first thing I felt. I felt it all around me, even as my body still felt heavy. My eyelids fluttered, and slowly, painfully, I forced them open. The light was soft. Surprisingly, the light didn’t blind my eyes. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. But then I felt it. I felt the rhythm of a heartbeat against my cheek, the arms around me that refused to let go. Liam. He was holding me so tightly it almost hurt. His entire body was wrapped protectively around mine. His scent filled my nose. My chest trembled as I felt relieved. He was here…with me. And then his eyes met mine. His eyes widened in surprise. “Nat,” His voice cracked like something inside him broke. “Natalie!” He crushed me against his chest, burying his face into my hair. His entire body shook as he held me tighter, like he was terrified I’d vanish if he loosened his grip. I managed a weak smile. My throat felt so dry and my voice came out in a rasp. “Liam… you’re… suffocating me.” He fr