from where Serena had parked, his ha

d comforting lights lighting inside, told him one

ng the house triggered a peculiar combi

ing Amy into the house. The sight of h

years of her life tha

n't there for Amy. He

e darkened, then calculated how long it

ries of their time toget

hten even his worst days. After they married, sh

had thrown ev

toni

used to let her

out of his car, his resolve unwavering.

the sound of the doorbe

ur? She hesitated for a bit

hile looking thro

an

ashed over her-anger, perplexity, and so

ightly while holding t

re? Are you stalking m

fierce, his ey

ngs as they were, Sere

k about," she said, beg

inst the door, using his

murmured quietly, but

and briefly closed the

pened it. He walked inside and

, but before she could

lips smashed down on hers with su

en aback by the ferocity of his k

ing his shirt as his lips pressed ag

t this, and her carefully constru

his lips, but it came across

wn to her waist, bringing her closer

aid softly, his voice r

e'd spent years convincing herself

nerve in her body, all of the falsehood

her body betrayed her as she

ed her to the couch. He lowered her ca

ted, but his kisses ran down her

na," he said, his voic

, she d

flurry of intensity

it was like to be touched

ng in so quickly, but nothing

ting on Ryan's chest, she felt a peculiar sen

~

morning, the fresh air doing little to q

rom his pocket, the screen lighted up with se

tifications, wondering why she called wi

*

ke to an e

when she saw the tousled blankets partly on the fl

nket to her chest, her chee

erself. The recollections from th

embrace her. She had allowed him to see a side

in her palms. She

she vowed never to let him hurt h

bedroom door interr

's tiny voic

d herself and put on a rob

w are you feeling now?" sh

ng better mommy." Amy re

have pan

, happy for the distraction. "Of sure, Bab

t Mommy ever...

he doorframe while

ut she put those ideas aside

asn't over. Ryan returned, and