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

if time

him for a while. “My skill isn’t too

smiled 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 his clothes.

take a shower,” Grace

narrow bathroom. Knowing that she wanted to conserve energy and keep their bills low, he didn’t set the shower to hot as he normally would. Warm water

this scar had grown very shallow.

saw it, he would think of that woman.

had abandoned

thing he had left

recalled her pushing him away as he knelt and begged her not

shaken her head and pried his hands free.

she shoved him aside so she could leave,

of rebar. Jason’s memories didn’t

the details of the day, aside

a snarl, and how

to breathe when the metal he fell on

the metal had

to the left and they

to save

told himself that that woman

his mother.

walled himself off.

he stopped

anyone.

as he did not have expectations, he would

just that…

his body dry with a

When he walked out of the bathroom, his eyes fell

was sitting at the table and seemed to be

something.

he started having expectations of her?

looking forward to seeing her smile, looking forward to her

happiness.

lived for those moments when she looked at him

smile lit up the

“Jay”.

sound of his name on her

done washing up? I’ll help you blow dry your hair,” she said

to the side of the table and saw

by her side. They

her original

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