Page 67 of Branded Hearts

What if it moves? What if it comes closer?

I’ll simply pass away.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine, and a wave of dizziness washes over me. I can’t stay here, but every instinct tells me not tomove. My breaths come in short, shallow gasps, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest.

But amidst all this panic, one thought consumes me—Bradley. He’s going to come rushing in here, only to find me standing here, all exposed. Thank goodness the steam has fogged up the glass a little, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’ll see me,allof me. My mind races with scenarios of embarrassment and awkwardness, adding to the chaos of the situation.

This can’t be happening. Not now. Not like this.

As I stand there, my mind racing with embarrassment and fear, I hear the front door open and Bradley’s deep voice calling out, “Amelia? Where are you?” Before I can even answer, he comes barreling into the bathroom, and I squeal in surprise.

“Are you hurt? What the fuck happened?”

“Oh, my god! Cover your eyes!” I shout, instinctively trying to shield myself from his gaze. On cue, he turns his head away, his voice loud and deep.

“What are you doing?” he asks, clearly taken aback.

“What does it look like, Brad? I’m trapped in here, and there is a snake right there,” I say, pointing at the glass, where the snake has now moved a centimetre or two.

“Can you—can you grab it?” I ask, my voice trembling with worry.

“How am I going to grab the fucking thing with my eyes closed?” he retorts, frustration evident in his voice. He looks down and spots the snake, muttering, “Oh. Well, fuck.”

Yes, indeed.

“Just grab my towel,” I suggest, desperation creeping into my tone. “Please.”

“Nothing I haven’t seen before, sunshine,” he says with a smirk. Oh.Oh.

“Don’t kill it, please. Can you… pick it up? Grab it? I don’t know!” I plead, hoping he understands the gravity of the situation.

“It’s a fucking brown snake, Amelia,” he replies, his voice serious, emphasising the danger. He takes a step forward.

Oh, is that bad? How does he know that? How doInot know that? I’ve been living in the bush, literally, all my life. I am ashamed to say that I did not recognise it.

“Is it really that dangerous?” I ask, my voice small.

“Yes!” he responds firmly. “They’re the second most venomous snake in the world.”

I gulp, feeling a wave of fear wash over me. Now that I know it’s very venomous, I panic even more.

As Bradley processes the situation, he grabs my towel and throws it to me. I quickly open the shower door slightly, just enough to catch it in time.

“Thanks,” I mumble, wrapping the towel around myself, feeling a bit more secure. Bradley, on the other hand, seems to find the whole thing amusing.

“Fucking hell,” he says with an exhale, before releasing a soft chuckle. “I thought something bad happened,” he exclaims, his voice raised in mock concern. I am dumbfounded. How does he find thisamusing, and yet here I am, mortified and utterly embarrassed? But I guess in the grand scheme of things, it can be seen as... well, to him, kind of comical.

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore his teasing.

“Well, something bad did happen. There’s a snake in my bathroom,” I retort, and he laughs softly, clearly unfazed by the situation.

“Relax. I’ll take care of it,” he says confidently, stepping closer to the snake.

I watch nervously as he approaches the snake, his movements slow and deliberate. Suddenly, the snake moves quickly for a moment, and I squeal in sheer terror.

“Oh, God!” I cry out, my fear escalating. “What if it bites you?”

“Shhhh,” Bradley chastises, his tone amused but firm. “Stop screaming, woman.”

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