Chapter 477
"Get away... don't touch me..." Vivian Bennett screamed, her voice breaking as she flailed her arms wildly.
Her consciousness was blurred.
She struggled like a frightened child, striking Liam Sullivan several times in her panic.
A sharp, stinging pain bloomed across Liam's left cheek from the unexpected slap.
Hearing her cry out with such revulsion, he almost thought she was cursing him directly.
Coming to his senses, he realized she was still struggling unconsciously.
He quickly seized her wrists, pinning her arms firmly against her sides.
Vivian twisted with her eyes closed for a few moments before her struggles gradually ceased.
She grew quiet.
A single, clear tear traced silently from the corner of her eye.
Her body trembled slightly.
Liam's heart clenched.
He sensed something was terribly wrong with her, as if she was trapped in immense sorrow.
He could only hold her tightly, repeating her name over and over.
Perhaps his calls reached her.
Vivian's eyelashes fluttered.
She slowly opened her eyes.
She stared at the ceiling, her gaze hollow and dazed, utterly terrified.
"Vivian, it was just a nightmare. Don't be afraid. I'm here," Liam murmured, gathering her into his embrace.
He gently stroked her rigid back.
He kissed her forehead, using his own warmth to comfort her.
Vivian gradually came back to herself.
She turned her head to look at him, her focus still scattered but slowly sharpening.
Feeling his soothing pats, her emotions gradually steadied.
Yet her face remained deathly pale.
She seemed burdened and distracted.
"What nightmare did you have? You're drenched in sweat. Were you being chased by a monster?" Liam asked lightly, wiping the cold sweat from her temple, trying to lighten the mood.
Vivian shuddered violently.
Her face turned even paler, all color draining from her features.
Liam noticed her drastic change immediately.
He held her hand. "Don't be afraid. Dreams aren't real. Tell me what you dreamed about?"
In all their nights sharing a bed, this was the first time he had seen her have a nightmare.
She was so terrified and helpless, it made his heart ache.
She wasn't a timid person by nature.
Whatever dream could frighten her this much must have touched her deepest, most hidden fears.
Vivian's fingers trembled slightly.
She looked up at him, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out.
Because this was less a nightmare and more a return to over a decade ago.
Back when her mother had just passed away.
Back when her father had remarried.
She suffered abuse and beatings from her stepmother.
She was bullied and tormented by her brother.
Those long-buried memories, ones she rarely recalled anymore, had blurred with time.