?Chapter 166:

    Katelyn nced up without thinking, her eyes quickly adjusting and tightening into focus.

    A faint zap of electricity crackled in the air. Suddenly, the elevator was filled with bright light.

    The searing brightness forced Katelyn to shield her eyes, huddling in the corner until her legs grew numb. The fear still lingered in her eyes; the terror hadn’t left her. She felt as if she were still trapped in a childhood nightmare, unable to escape.

    It was as if an invisible force was pulling her into a dark void.

    Even though the elevator was now lit, she couldn’t bring herself to calm down.

    She felt as if she had merged with her six-year-old self, the same suffocating fear gripping her tightly.

    Suddenly, anxious voices came through the elevator door.

    “Katelyn? Are you there, Katelyn?”

    The voice trembled with unconcealed anxiety. For a moment, Katelyn was stunned, but then she recognized it—Vincent’s voice.

    “I’m here,” she shouted.

    She heard hurried footsteps, and the elevator doors slid open.

    Still crouched on the floor, Katelyn looked up.

    A soft light from behind Vincent bathed him in a warm glow.

    The noise andmotion in her head seemed to fade away in an instant.

    At that moment, Vincent was the only person left in Katelyn’s world.

    His face was etched with worry, sweat beading on his forehead. He looked her over with a tense, concerned gaze. When their eyes met, his relief was palpable. He let out a deep breath, finally finding her.

    Katelyn’s eyes were red and puffy, making her look like a scared little girl.

    M??? ??????s ?? ????????s.???

    Vincent moved closer and asked softly, “Are you okay?” His question pulled Katelyn out of her tangled thoughts, bringing her back to the moment.

    Katelyn sprang to her feet and threw herself into his arms.

    The tension in her body seemed to dissolve all at once, and a wave of suppressed emotions flooded out. Vincent had not only rescued her but also broughtfort to her heart.

    The frightened six-year-old she once was seemed to resurface. The sudden self-pressure against him made Vincent stiffen in surprise.

    After a moment’s pause, he gently wrapped his arms around her waist, his voice full of concern. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly.

    Katelyn hugged him tightly, resting her head against his chest.

    She kept trembling, and the tears that had been waiting in her eyes finally began to stream down her cheeks.

    With a mix of concern and tenderness, Vincent gently parted from her, trying to calm her. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

    Katelyn squeezed her eyes shut, lost in thefort of his voice.

    Vincent stayed silent, holding her close as if the world outside had disappeared.

    He held her quietly, letting her take the time she needed to calm down.

    Katelyn couldn’t tell how long they stayed like that. Eventually, she pulled away, stepped back, and gave a small sniff.

    Her eyes were even redder now, clearly showing she had been crying hard.

    Despite this, Vincent hadn’t heard a single sound from her.

    She was so controlled that even in her tears, she remained silent.

    Vincent watched her, his emotions a mix of concern and curiosity, but he chose not to ask about her tears. “I’ll drive you home,” he said gently.

    Katelyn nodded in silent agreement.

    The shadow in her heart had faded with Vincent’s arrival, but she still walked a step behind him. She had been frightened earlier, but now she felt a twinge of embarrassment.

    As her mind cleared, she wished she hadn’t cried in front of Vincent.

    At least she hadn’t made any sound; otherwise, her embarrassment would have been even worse.

    Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice that Vincent had stopped.

    Unaware, she bumped into his broad back.

    .

    .

    .