my gaze fell upon the familiar face beside me, my pain and discomfort melted away. Chris, my childho

rcing me back onto the pillow. Chris quickly reached out and

barely above a whisper. "I can't beli

I have the same reaction. Thank God you weren't hurt w

It had been so long since we'd last seen each other

ce we met?" I asked, my curio

g, "4 years, 3 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, and 7 mi

," I teased, my he

s sparkling with mirth.

. "Sorry, I came here without meeting you, Chris," I said, my voi

problem, Rose. At least we met now. But what were you doing alone on that street, e

e night I walked away from Alexander's mansion, came flooding back. The pain, the heartache, the

, I felt someone truly care for me. The dam broke, and tears streamed down my face as I sobbed u

e whispered. "You know I consider

I cried for nearly half an hour, finally allowing myself to let go of the sadness

eyes still filled with compassion. I took a

like a maid, not a wife. They humiliated me, belittled me, and made me feel worthless. I tried

fresh. I feel like I've lost myself, like I'm just a shadow of who I used to be.

ed, Chris. I'm scared of what Alexander might do and of how he'll react. That's why I nee

clenched in restraint, but he c

e, what can I

me; that's enough for me. No

er will take care of everything. She'll handle

s's support. Together, we would face this new chapter in

*********

ble. He had fallen asleep there last night, unable to shake off the sting of

er growled, his voice

voice was laced with annoyance. "Do you even know what time it is? And for

hadn't slept well, his mind racing with thoughts of Roslyn and her declarati

Alexander warned, his tone dripping with menace. "I

rough his disheveled hair, trying to shake off the fatigue. He couldn't believe

irror. His eyes looked sunken, his face pale. He needed to get

in his mind. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was l

ead. He would face Tyler , reschedule the meetings, and prete

*************