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“What did that fucker do to you?” He already wanted to kill him for hurting her.
“Do you want to start from the beginning?” She turned back toward him, eyes watering. “How he tried to gaslight me or how he was emotionally and mentally abusive? How about when it became physical?” She started to shake. “Or when he raped me? Before or after the divorce. I’m sure you know about the recent time; you were hired as my bodyguard after all.” She shook her head. “I can’t even count how many times while we were still married. The nights I just prayed it would be over. I prayed for the end rather than the torture it brought me. I would pretend to be asleep and he either didn’t care or would slap me awake.”
“I will kill him for ever laying a hand on you.” He grabbed her hand.
“The damage is done.” She looked away and cried.
Fuck!
How did he not see how much she was hurting before? When he first arrived at her house, he’d seen the faint bruises. He knew her ex was a piece of shit and was already angry at hearing how he’d raped her. It was worse than he thought. That son of a bitch had cut his claws deep.
One thing was for sure, he was going to make him pay. Her ex deserved a slow and painful death.
He pulled her into his arms and held her. It was the only thing he could do, hold her and let her cry. Hold her and never let go. Hold her and let her know he would take care of her. Fuck, he should’ve been there.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.” He spoke in her hair.
“S’not your fault.” She sniffled.
“I should’ve been around. Tabitha, I will never let a day go by where you don’t feel safe.” He pulled back, and she looked up at him. “You were always the most important person in my life and I hope you know that that hasn’t changed.”
She buried her head back into his chest. “You’re too good for me.”
“No, Tab. You’re too good for me.”
She was too good for this fucked up world.
CHAPTER21
TABITHA
Max: Everything okay?
Cristina:Where are you?
Max:Just checking in, let me know if you’re okay.
Cristina:Tabitha, we’re posting to your socials for you.
Max:Cristina is going nuts. You okay?
Cristina:We have a couple brands wanting to work with you. When can we chat?
Eric:Max is going crazy with worry. Please let us know you’re okay.
Cristina:You’re really going to love this one. I’ll set up a potential video conference for one week from now. Let me know if we need to change that ASAP.
Max:Miss you girl. Please let us know you’re okay.
She was usually gluedto her phone; she didn’t even realize it was out of battery until she attempted to turn it on. The phone had been buzzing constantly since she plugged it in. The number of missed calls and messages were outlandish. She didn’t even want to open the social media apps to see what all she’d missed. For now, it could wait.
She held the button down on the side to power it off and put it back down before rolling over. It was bright outside, but the room was nice and cool. She pulled the cover over her head and curled up against the other pillow.
It smelled like him.
The days were running together since she opened up to Archie. Part of her was grateful to have someone to talk to. The other part of her felt drained at having to bring those moments back to the front of her mind. She wasn’t sure how many nights had passed where she opened up to him before she would end the night in tears.
Then he would hold her for the rest of the night.
