Chapter 17 Leaving The Trauma Behind

• Clairessa’s POV
• I woke up, my arms instinctively reaching out for Gabriel, but the side of the bed where he slept was empty. A wave of disappointment hit me as I realized he was gone. The memories of last night started flooding back, and I tried to push away the thoughts of that horrible man, Marco. The fear and pain he had inflicted still lingered in my mind.
• If Gabriel hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what Marco might have done? I shuddered at the thought but quickly pushed it away.