Chapter 71

• When the taxi dropped me off at home, it was Ian who was waiting at my door with a face of suffering that he could barely bear.
• "How are you?" he asks, taking my bag from my hands and then hugging me. "I came here as soon as I was notified. Please forgive me."
• I hug him because I need his warmth, I need to feel him close to me. I breathe, trying not to cry, so I step back, hiding my face so he doesn't see the bruise on my cheek. I don't want to make a scene tonight.