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Chapter 214 - Visit Home

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CHAPTER 214

~Valerie's POV~

"Xa—"

The name barely made it past my lips before strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me from tumbling backwards.

Xander.

His scent assaulted me immediately—something earthy and sharp, with just a hint of spice. Familiar. Steady. The kind of scent that made you want to lean in and forget the chaos behind your ribs.

"Valerie?" His voice was low, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"No," I whispered before I could stop myself. My knees buckled, and he eased me down gently, guiding us to sit on one of the stone ledges near the path. 

I didn't want to cry now, and definitely not in front of him.

Xander had that big brother effect on me like Storm… And just hugging him, made all the bottled up pain resurface, all the betrayal… But I was spiralling.

"I wasn't watching where I was going," I muttered, trying to get a hold of myself. "Sorry."

He shook his head. "You don't need to apologise." His gaze washed over me. "You look… shaken."

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