The drive from the mall was a blur of silence, not awkward, but heavy with unspoken things. The weight of the collar around my neck was a constant, grounding presence. It wasn’t just a gift; it was a promise. An anchor in the storm that had been my life.
We reached his place. Not the apartment about the shop, but the house nearby. He didn’t say a word, just led me by the hand to the bathroom. It was large and stark, with a massive black slate shower.
He turned on the water, the steam beginning to curl into the cool air. His movements were deliberate, gentle, as he unbuttoned my coat and slid it from my shoulders. His eyes never left mine, and in their depths, I saw a question. A silent offering of care. I gave a small, shaky nod.
The clothes I’d been wearing since yesterday—since Chad—f
