Staying still where I was because I did not want to wake him, I tilted my head to see his face.

Even in his sleep he still had an intimidating expression plastered on him. I almost let out a laugh at his sleepy scowl. He still looked protective and ready to scare anybody that came near me while unconscious.

I ran one of my fingers along his tensed jaw and then to his lip that was upwards in a grimace. His features softened at the contact, and he almost started to look at peace.

A gentle knock at the door made me pull my hand back. Mrs Lewis stood at the door with a warm smile as she watched the scene before her.

"He has not slept in four days." She walked closer so she could whisper her words "He must be exhausted."

Guilt instantly jabbed at my stomach as I studied his state.

Mrs Lewis quietly told me "He would not have had it any other way. He was so worried about you, and he thought that if he blinked then you would disappear."

It felt like too much. I could feel the weight on my chest, and I did not think it was from the big guy resting there.

"I was scared too." Mrs Lewis admitted "You are family. I am so grateful that you came into my son's life."

I started my soft attempt at breaking the news to her by using her name for the first time "Kelly, I can't be with him."

Something twitched against my chest. Not inside but against.

"Is this about Litora Bello?" She moved closer and frowned "I think you should kick his ass into next week for lying to you, but I know you need to hold onto him."

"It is not that. I know that if the accident never happened then I would have got back with him." I revealed before I added humorously "I would have made him grovel, but I would have taken him back."

She smiled but it only lasted a second "Fighting illegally is not what I wanted for him but I think that is the one time he can let go of that built up anger."

Her smile was warm and contagious, and I could not help but smile back at her

I admitted "I would never stand in the way of something that makes Stone happy or even content. Nothing."

"He has been hellbent on getting Litora Bello legal and mainstream." Mrs Lewis said, "No doubt that is all for you."

"It would not matter to me if it was not." I replied, "I would still want him regardless."

Mrs Lewis sighed "We have good jobs. Baron is a lawyer, and I’m a nurse but sometimes that is not enough. You know first-hand how much it costs for even an apartment here."

I nodded.