Chapter 38

No one really got why Broderick chose to marry Leslie. Leslie didn't get it either. Only he knew. His parents had never asked him for much. But once, just joking around, his mom had smiled and said, "Why not make that girl our daughter-in-law?" Her eyes were full of warmth and joy back then. They were still around, and everything felt whole. He felt whole. It was like marrying Leslie would somehow freeze that happiness in time, like those moments had never slipped away. Broderick closed the photo album, put it back in the drawer and headed for a shower. He undressed, the lines of his muscles sharp under the light. But his eyes-cold, detached. No emotion. Starcrest Manor was silent at night. Broderick liked things neat and quiet. Everyone knew this. So, the house stayed hushed. At 2 a.m., Leslie twisted in bed, her delicate brows furrowed. Her bare arms, pale and smooth, clutched the sheets as she writhed, clearly in pain. "No... stop... Broderick, please... Samuel-don't." She woke with