Charlotte Thompson startled awake in her bed, eyes flying open.
Outside, the soft morning light was seeping in, casting a fragmented shadow through the glass; it danced before Charlotte’s eyes, leaving her dizzy.
It felt as though her vision was still a vivid red.
Justin Battleson pulled Charlotte into his arms, finding her complexion slightly off and his gaze filled with concern.
He held onto Charlotte’s relatively cold fingers, offering what comfort he could.
It took Charlotte a while to find her voice.
"I’m fine, just a... a bad dream..."
She pressed her hand against her eyes, her voice laced with exhaustion.
"Probably just due to working too much recently."
Charlotte brushed the incident off with a vague excuse, not wanting to discuss it further.
Justin Battleson’s brows furrowed tightly. He didn’t press her when he saw her reluctance to talk.
He planted a kiss on top of Charlotte’s head before standing and heading out.
"Rest a little more. I’ll go prepare breakfast for the kids."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Charlotte looked up at Justin – already dressed. She emitted a soft response.
She had spent the entire previous day consoling Olivia Thompson, whose pent-up grievances seemed to tumble out all at once.
Charlotte stayed with Olivia until late into the night.
After Justin Battleson’s departure, she also got off the bed and pushed the window open.
Thanks to last night’s downpour, the outside air was fresh. The damp mist was gradually evaporated by the sun, as the birds in the trees flapped their wings, disappearing in the distance.
However, the beauty of this peaceful dawn brought no consolation to Charlotte.
Her fingertips, resting on the window sill, tightened.
Charlotte was reminded of her dreadful dream. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveIꜰire.net
In the dream, she saw Annie Anne dressed in a wedding gown, standing in front of her looking radiant.
Annie said, "Charlotte, I have made my choice."
She couldn’t utter a word in her dream, only watch as her friend turned back to walk towards a sea of enshrouded flowers.
There was someone waiting for her there.
But in the blink of an eye, flower petals started to scatter and fall onto, staining her chest a vivid red.
It was a chilling scene.
Annie fell amid the tender flower petals, soaked in her tragic beauty.
Feeling a chill run through her, Charlotte slightly bowed her head, averse to recalling the scene from her dream.
"Charlotte, are you mad? Annie is perfectly fine. She is about to be discharged."
Massaging her throbbing temples, Charlotte muttered to herself.
Just then, a sound came from the door. As Charlotte turned to look, she saw Grace Thompson peeking through the gap in the door.
Upon noticing Charlotte turn to look at her, Grace ran over.
Charlotte squatted down and pulled Grace into her embrace.
"Mommy." Grace Thompson hugged Charlotte, rubbing her little head against her neck in a show of affection.
"Why did you suddenly come over here? Has everyone else woken up?" Charlotte held Grace steady, asking in a soft voice.
Grace shook her head, her voice sweet and childish: "No, Grace was the first to wake up."
With that, Grace stretched out her little hand and cradled Charlotte’s face.
Charlotte watched Grace’s clean, adorable face, unsure of what the child was trying to do.
The next moment, Grace puckered her lips and kissed Charlotte on the cheek.
"Mommy, Grace is giving you a kiss! All the bad things will fly away!"
Grace said seriously.
Charlotte was taken aback for a second, then reached out and affectionately touched Grace’s little nose.
"Did Daddy tell you to do this?" Charlotte could vaguely guess what might have happened.