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.

time, her voice suddenly sounded in

as if

and carefully looked at him for a while. “My skill

she spoke. Then, she took out a dry towel and flicked off the fine strands

a shower,”

into the 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 rushed over his body as he stepped in and lowered his head

scar had grown very shallow.

it, he would

had abandoned him and his father.

wound was the only thing he had left of

he knelt and begged her not

head and pried his hands free.

so she could leave,

rebar. Jason’s memories

aside from what she wore,

had transformed into a snarl,

to breathe when the metal he fell on

metal had gotten

lucky, a centimeter to the left and they

to save his

he had told himself that that

his mother.

walled himself off.

death, he stopped having expectations

anyone.

long as he did not have expectations, he would never be disappointed.

was just

body dry with a towel, and put

his clothes. When he walked out

sitting at the table and seemed to be

something.

started having

looking forward to seeing her smile, looking forward to her

happiness.

for those moments when she looked at him

Her smile lit up the whole room.

“Jay”.

the sound of his name on her lips brought

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

the side of the table and

table by her side.

original

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