Chapter 144 The Dream

• Ethan handed Brandon a glass of water, his gaze soft with concern as he watched Brandon’s shaky hands grasp the cup. “Take it slow,” Ethan murmured, his voice low and soothing. Brandon nodded, sipping carefully, feeling the cool liquid coat his dry throat, but it did little to settle the turmoil inside him.
• Once Brandon’s breathing evened out, Ethan asked gently, “What happened? Why were you apologizing?”
• Brandon hesitated, his chest tightening under the weight of his lie before it even escaped his lips. He glanced down at the floor, avoiding Ethan’s eyes. “It was just a bad dream,” he muttered, forcing a casual shrug. “Ever since that attack… I get these nightmares. Like I’m being murdered all over again.”