Chapter 125

"Vanessa... Vanessa, my Vanessa..." Leander was practically a mess right then, emotions surging like he'd just been launched from the depths of hell straight into the clouds. He was too overwhelmed to form proper sentences, pulling Vanessa tightly into his arms, voice shaky. "You're awake... You're finally back... Thank you... thank you for not leaving me behind..." Vanessa leaned into the warmth of his embrace, her mind tracing back the last three days. Everything that happened... it felt almost unreal, like she'd been caught in something between life and death. But what were those flashes at the end? A warning? Was something going to happen to Leander? No. Whatever it was, she wasn't going to let it happen. "Leander, I'm not going anywhere. And thank you-for holding on to me," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist, nestling her face against his chest, breathing in that familiar scent, heart finally at ease. She was really alive. She didn't die. Back then, she'd been on th