Chapter 53 Bringing Him Back

• Dhalia POV
• “You had it beaten into you that relationships are weaknesses, right? That showing emotion is a weakness. That being gay or wanting to be with a man is a weakness. If you showed signs, he beat the hell out of you. If you cried, he beat you some more until you covered it all.”
• Chase just stares, a stoic mask hiding the storm underneath. “I did it. Every night with those men, I forced myself not to cry or show weakness. I only did it once. So you know what, Chase? If it’s a good thing and it’s working for you, I’ll build up the same walls. I will lock everyone out, and then I won’t give a shit. I will be happy to walk away from everyone in my life like they mean nothing.”