"It was just my grandfather and me after that… but he was never the same. The happy grandpa I knew was gone. His health kept declining, little by little… until he left me too." Her voice dropped to a fragile whisper. "I've been alone ever since."
Fernando pulled her closer, gathering her soft, trembling body into his chest.
"You're my strong Ana," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. The contact sent a spark skimming beneath her skin.
"That night you found me struggling to breathe at the main door…" She swallowed hard. "I saw Bastien. He was there. Standing right outside your house. I knew he'd come for me. So when you said we were going on vacation… I planned to run away from you. I didn't want you dragged into this. I didn't want you hurt because of me."
Her words made him go rigid. Every muscle in his body locked.
"You planned what?" His voice was clipped, controlled, but barely.
