Chapter 42

She combed his bangs gently with a comb, then began to trim

the hairs on his forehead bit by bit. All of her attention was

concentrated on the task at hand.

Jason watched her. The way she studied him, so focused on her

task.

That singular focus had served her well in her life-first with her

education and graduating top of her class at University and later

at Law School. And then in surviving prison.

Guilt stabbed at him.

He saw how she’d been abused in the time that he knew her.

What must her life be like behind bars, with no one to champion or protect her, and countless criminals coming after her all in the hopes of pleasing him?

She sucked in a breath and he hung on to that little sound.

Her mouth was pretty. Full lips, a bright smile.

She didn’t smile enough, he realized.

Her skin was still red, likely from the wind and cold, and though it

pinkened her cheeks and nose, it only enhanced her beauty.

If he looked hard enough, he could see that she’d been beautiful

once.

Her features carried symmetry and character.

But it wasn’t the outward appearance that drew him, but rather

what came from within.

This woman… she’d been the one to fight for him. To sacrifice so that he could have a roof over his head, warm clothes, and something good to eat. She’d asked for nothing in return.

And knowing that she appreciated him for him… awakened something inside him.

of time, her voice suddenly sounded in his

asked. It was as if time spent with her passed extremely quickly.

for a while. “My skill

as she spoke. Then, she took out a dry towel and flicked off the fine strands of hair that were stuck to his face, neck, and on

take a shower,” Grace said.

to conserve energy and keep their bills low, he didn’t set the shower to hot as he normally would. Warm water rushed over his body as he stepped in and lowered his head to rinse away any shorn hairs. As he glanced down, he saw the scar on his chest.

scar had grown very shallow.

he would think

abandoned him and his father.

wound was the only thing he had left

recalled her pushing him away as he knelt and begged her

woman had shaken her head and pried his hands

she could leave, he’d fallen

rebar. Jason’s memories

of the day, aside from

had transformed into a

to breathe when the metal he fell

had said that the metal had

lucky, a centimeter to

able to save

that time, he had told himself that

his mother.

walled himself

he stopped having expectations

anyone.

have expectations, he

was just that…

wiped his body dry with a towel, and

When he walked out of the bathroom,

Grace. She was sitting at the table

something.

he started having

looking forward to seeing her smile, looking

happiness.

when she looked at

smiled. Her smile lit up the

“Jay”.

name on her

hair,”

the side of the table and saw some documents

side. They were… copies of the record

her original

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