He looked me straight in the eyes when he said it. No games. No lies.
And my heart… melted just a little.
No one had ever offered me that choice before.
“I…” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat. “You don’t have to leave. It’s your home.”
He smiled, the kind that made something in my chest ache. “Then make yourself comfortable. Bathroom’s just down that hall. I’ll go start dinner.”
I didn’t answer, just nodded slowly before stepping into the bathroom.
The tub was already half full. He must’ve started it before I got here.
Lavender and eucalyptus. The scent made my body relax even before I stepped into the water.
Kindness still felt foreign. But for the first time in my life… maybe I wanted to learn it.
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The hot water felt like heaven against my skin. Muscles I hadn’t even rea
