Chapter 24
The intimate gesture made Shawn frown.
Putting down his phone, he nudged Kathleen gently. Instead of moving away, she shifted even closer, sliding her hand from his waist to his abdomen.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable with her touch, Shawn grabbed her hand firmly and warned her quietly, “Kathleen, stop pretending to sleep.”
Kathleen didn’t open her eyes or respond. The bedroom became quiet again.
He furrowed his brow and was about to remove her hand, but she held onto him tightly.
“…Mom,” she murmured.
Shawn was speechless. Was she mistaking him for her mother? How old was she to still dream about her mom?
“I’m not your mom. Let go,” he insisted, uncomfortable with her grip.
As soon as he spoke, he heard her quiet sobbing. Looking down, Shawn saw that her brows were knitted together, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and a tear rolling down from the corner of her eye.
She was crying softly, clearly distressed from some sad dream, yet her hand still gripped him tightly.
Seeing her tears, Shawn felt a dull ache in his chest. He gently tapped her shoulder. “Kathleen, wake up.”
In her dream, Kathleen was desperately chasing her mother but unable to catch up. She had fallen, crying and begging her mother not to leave, but her mother never looked back.
A somewhat unfriendly voice calling her name grew louder, forcing her to struggle awake.
She saw Shawn’s indifferent face and felt momentarily lost. The cool tears on her face quickly brought her clarity.
Wiping her face, she recalled her dream and felt embarrassed when she noticed his displeasure. “I had a nightmare and disturbed you. Sorry.”
Shawn raised the hand she was still clutching. “Let go,” he warned coldly.
Kathleen quickly released him, unaware of her grip on him. “It was unconscious,” she apologized sincerely. “I really didn’t mean it.”
Shawn glanced at her, warning, “Behave yourself.”
With that, he turned off the lights and lay down again.
She took a deep breath in the darkness, touching her dry eyes. Sleep evaded her as she thought about the dream.
It had been years since she’d dreamt about her mother. Whenever she did, the scenes were never comforting–her mother would always leave without looking back, just like when she had tragically taken her own life.
Kathleen lay awake until dawn. She quietly got out of bed and freshened up. After dressing neatly, she applied some light makeup to look more refreshed. When she stepped out of the bathroom, she saw Shawn standing by the window. The curtains were open, and warm sunlight filled the room.
“Good morning,” she greeted cheerfully.
Shawn turned to see her radiant smile, last night’s sadness completely gone. Without a word, be walked past her.
Kathleen shrugged and took his place by the window, enjoying the view and waiting for him.
Hearing movement behind her, she turned around. “Shawn, you’re not a gentle man.”
Shawn looked at her, confused.
Then, she accused playfully, “I cried last night from a nightmare. Shouldn’t you have comforted me? Why did you wake me up instead?” He regretted engaging with her at all.
“There are some things I want to say, but I’m afraid of hurting your feelings,” she continued, teasing.
That piqued Shawn’s interest. “Go ahead.”
Kathleen shook her head. “Forget it. It’s Christmas. I won’t upset you.”
She had considered telling him it was no wonder his girlfriend left him. Maybe he wasn’t gentle enough, but that would only irritate him.
“Then, I should thank you,” Shawn replied expressionlessly.
“Save it,” Kathleen gave him a fake smile. “I’m kind–hearted.”
He narrowed his eyes, thinking she was truly shameless.
Chapter 25
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