His fingers stilled on her hip. The silence stretched, taut and uncomfortable, until he pulled back just enough to look at her. He turned her onto her side so he could see her face clearly, his expression softening into something that looked remarkably like concern.
"Answer me, Libby."
She turned her head slowly, her eyes red rimmed and hollow. "Yes, Victor," she said, the words flat and mechanical.
He sighed, a sound of genuine relief, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Good. Because I can't stand it when you're like this. When you act out, when you make me have to do this... it breaks my heart."
He pulled her closer, his warmth enveloping her. For a moment, the monster was gone, replaced by the man who had bought her diamonds and fed her pasta from his own plate. It was the most d
