“Suit yourself.” He put the headphones back on, then took them off. “If you need anything, let me know.”

On went the headphones, and he went back to work. I walked to the fridge, took two bottles of water and one bottle of strawberry protein shake. I was so sick of drinking the thick, sickly sweet stuff, but what could I do? I was always weight appropriate, but these past weeks, I had lost enough pounds to be considered thin. But I didn’t look healthy. It was a scrawny thin in the wrong places.

I walked back into the bedroom, leaving the door open, and finished off another bottle of water along with the strawberry shake. Fortified, I went to do what I should have done when he first took me here, into his domain, into his bed. I came to him, and he took off his headphones. The monitors showed multiple rooms with multiple people engaged in multiple acts. He saw me looking, pushed a button, and the screens suddenly went black. His deep blues stared into my eyes—not hostile, but they were flat. He was literally looking down at me.

“What do you need?”

“Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “I just want to sincerely thank you for rescuing me, Chris. I probably would have died if it hadn’t been for you. Lord only knows what would have happened to Juleen. I am extremely grateful to have this place to recover and rest and to have you looking after us.” My eyes welled up. “Thank you so much.”

He nodded. “You’re very welcome.”

“Also …” Another pause. “I also want to apologize to you for the affair … for ducking out on you. I was scared, but …” I felt my eyes fill up. “It was a terrible thing to do … to leave you hanging.” Wet rills on my cheeks. “I’m really sorry—”

“Stop apologizing, baby,” he told me. “I was a shitty boyfriend and an equally shitty husband.” He patted his legs. “C’mere.”

He gently lifted me onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around my back. I laid my head on his chest and just let the tears fall. He kissed the top of my head. “I’m okay if you’re okay. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” I picked my head up and smiled. “I’m fine.” I wiped tears away and just let him hold me.

He said, “God put me here on earth to take care of you.” He laced his fingers through my hair. “I talk a good case, but it’s all bravado. No matter what you do, no matter how many times you leave me, I’ll always be here for you. I’ll always take you back. Twenty-four seven.” He ran his fingers down my back. “Your own personal convenience store. I’m always open. Take anything you want.”

“Thank you, Christopher. I appreciate you saying that.”