?Chapter 1430:


    Morse looked at Chloe sleeping beside him, her breathing soft and peaceful. A gentle smile tugged at his lips—he couldn’t help it.


    His mind drifted back to her confession. Even now, it still felt unreal, like words he had imagined rather than ones she had actually said.


    Lying there in that quiet hospital room, he began to wonder if all of it had just been a dream.


    To make sure he wasn’t imagining it, he gave his arm a good pinch. The sting told him it was real—not a dream at all.


    He nced at the empty bed nearby, wishing she’d taken it instead of curling up in the chair. But she looked so peaceful that he didn’t have the heart to wake her.


    His hand hovered in midair, reaching for her, then pulling back again. He wanted to touch her, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her rest.


    Then Chloe let out a faint sound, hershes trembling like butterfly wings as she stirred. For a moment, Morse simply watched,pletely captivated.


    Her eyes slowly opened and met his. For a split second, she froze, staring at him as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Was she still dreaming? Was Morse really awake? She shot upright, rubbing her eyes and blinking rapidly. But no—he was still there, very real, very alive.


    Her face brightened all at once, joy and disbelief spilling out in one radiant expression.


    Watching her go from shocked to overjoyed, Morse couldn’t help smiling. She looked so damn cute he felt his chest ache.


    “Ah!” Chloe gasped, her voice breaking into augh. “You’re awake! You’re finally awake! This is real, right?”


    Chloe felt caught between happiness and fear, terrified that this moment might vanish if she blinked, that it might just be another dream.


    Acting on pure impulse, she lifted her hand to p herself awake, but Morse was faster. He caught her wrist midair, stopping her before she could touch her face.


    “Hey, don’t do that,” Morse said softly, his voice calm and his eyes full of warmth. “If someone has to take a hit, make it me.”


    ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????? g???????ν??????????????


    “You’re hurt,” Chloe murmured, a shy smile tugging at her lips as her gaze dropped to the hand he still held. “How could I hit you?” Her heart skipped wildly as the memory of her tearful confession came rushing back. Heat crept into her cheeks, turning them pink with shyness.


    Morse remembered that night, how she had pped herself in frustration, and the thought made his chest tighten. He tightened his hold slightly, as if to reassure her that she didn’t need to do that anymore.


    “Promise me you won’t hurt yourself again,” he said softly, his tone both firm and kind.


    “I was just so anxious, and I was scared you might…” Her voice faded before she could say the rest, her throat tightening around the unspoken fear.


    “Even if you’re scared or upset,” Morse said with a helpless sigh, “you can’t take it out on yourself.”


    “Alright,” Chloe whispered, biting her lower lip. She hesitated for a second, then leaned in closer. “Back then… what were you trying to say to me?”


    .


    .


    .