Chapter 361

“I promise,” he said. “I won’t involve myself with Rose again. But don’t ever talk about yourself like that. Not to me.” She did not respond. She did not know how. So she turned back toward the wall, letting silence answer for her. He held her a little closer. “Rest,” he murmured. “You need sleep.” She was tired. Deeply tired. Emotionally drained. But sleep felt impossible with too many thoughts, too many unanswered questions, and a man beside her who still held too much space in her heart. Still, slowly, her breathing began to soften. Not because everything was solved. But because, for tonight, she let herself believe she was safe. Rose woke slowly, as if her body was fighting against the morning. Her head throbbed with a dull, heavy pain that made her squeeze her eyes shut again. “Damn it…” she muttered under her breath. Her mouth felt dry. Her mind felt foggy. She pushed herself up into a sitting position and rubbed her face with both hands, trying to wake herself fully. The room sp