“Can I join?”
The noise startled me as I looked over to find Valerie wearing her pjs and house slippers. My heart began to race. “Of course.”
She slowly stepped forward and inched onto the opposite end of the couch. She was silent as she watched the screen. I anxiously waited for her to say something, fearing she never would. Fifteen minutes had passed when she finally spoke.
“I forgive you, Desmond.”
My mind was worried that my ears had deceived me as I stared at the side of her face.
“What?”
She swallowed hard, turning to look at me. “I forgive you. You made a mistake. A big one. But I forgive you.” Her eyebrows raised as she continued, “Desmond, if you ever touch me like that or hurt me again… I will reject you and leave you forever. Do you understand?”
I nodded my head quickly,
