novelxo Chapter 346
Juztin probably wouldn't notice a thing.
But the annoying part was, even though Juztin didn't find anyone, he didn't leave either. Chloe could just make out a silhouette by the shore. He was actually climbing a tree to pick some wild berries. The tree was lush, with branches stretching out over the water. Chloe had been holding her breath underwater for nearly three minutes, which was pushing the limit for most people. Connor was almost pinned beneath her, and when she looked down at him, he seemed on the verge of suffocation, his face twisted in pain and his limbs flailing uncontrollably.
Chloe glanced up. Juztin was still leisurely picking berries. At this rate, Connor might actually suffocate. Chloe didn't hesitate. She grabbed the back of Connor's head and pressed her lips to his, giving him air. Chloe had practiced holding her breath and could manage six or seven minutes underwater, but even so, they couldn't stay down much longer.
Luckily, after picking a few berries, Juztin climbed down and left. Chloe's lips were still pressed against Connor's, but her eyes were on the shore. Once she saw Juztin was gone, Chloe wrapped one arm around Connor's neck and pulled him above the water. Both of them gasped for fresh air as they surfaced. Chloe had been underwater for a full five minutes, and even gave Connor air. Her endurance was at its limit.
Connor lay by the shore, almost lifeless. Chloe seized the moment to get out of the water and quickly dressed. Then she walked over to Connor. "Where are your clothes?" she asked.
Connor used all his strength to lift his arm and point in a direction. Chloe quickly fetched his clothes. "Get dressed," she said.
Connor lay half on the grass and half in the water, motionless. Chloe was worried. Being underwater for so long, he couldn't have really suffocated, could he? Eventually, Chloe pulled him completely onto the shore. He still had a pulse. Good, he wasn't dead. But he was weak, his eyes barely open, making Chloe wonder if he had passed out from lack of oxygen.
Chloe nudged him with her toe. "Stop playing dead, get up and get dressed."
Connor's voice was still pitiful. "I can't move, help me..."
Chloe frowned, looking at his stiff body. In the end, her heart softened. She helped Connor get dressed. As she buttoned the last button on his shirt, Connor suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Chloe, I love you," he said.
им
Chloe's hand froze. It wasn't the first time he had said those three words. He used to whisper them in her ear during their most intimate moments. But now, it felt completely different. His voice was calm, like it had come out of nowhere, yet it seemed to carry a flood of emotions, tinged with deep helplessness.
Chloe's heart ached inexplicably, like it had been pricked by a needle. Suddenly, she felt very sad without knowing why. She didn't say anything. After fastening the last button, she stood up, her voice flat. "I'll head back first. You rest a bit before getting up."
Chloe turned her back. "Let's pretend tonight never happened." Then, she left.