When his breathing started to slow , I stood , crossing the room quietly . " I'll get you some water , " I said . My voice was calm , even though everything inside me was unsettled . He didn't answer right away . When I handed him the glass , he took it and nodded , " Thanks ." " You sure you don't need help ? " I asked , watching him closely . He took a slow sip before setting the glass down on the nightstand . " It's fine . I've been having dreams like this since the accident ." My eyebrows pulled together . " That's not normal ." He ran a hand over his face . " It's the same dream every night . " " What kind of dream ? " I didn't know if he was going to respond to me or not seeing how unpredictable he had been and his clear coldness to me . His mouth tightened , " there's a woman , she doesn't have a face . She's always just out of reach , standing there like she's waiting for me to come to her , but I never can . " I sat down slowly , " that's … strange ." He turned to face me , " It's because I'm here , with you . " My heart froze and I blinked , waiting for him to say more but he didn't . Eventually , I stared at him , confused , " what do you mean by that ? " " I know it's her . Benita ," he said , like the name meant everything . " The dream , it disturbs me because it's her . It's always been her . I should be with her , not here with you . That's why the dream started again tonight . " I pulled back slightly , something cold sinking into my chest . He looked right at me when he said it , and I had to clench my jaw to stop my reaction from spilling out . " We should sleep in the bed , " I said stiffly . " Just … for the sake of it , " I added , " you probably had that dream because the couch was too uncomfortable for you . " He didn't argue like I expected him to , instead he got to his feet like he had been planning to take the bed all day and I followed after him . We climbed into the bed , silence between us . I lay facing the other way , but I still felt it , the slow shift of the mattress as he moved closer . Then , without warning , his arm slid around my waist and pulled me back against his chest . " What are you doing ? " I asked in a low voice , every inch of me screaming out the confusion that I felt immediately . " It's the media , someone could still be watching , don't overthink it ' 1/3 8:43 pm E Chapter 16 55 vouchers How on earth could I not over think it ? Rick might not have remembered but my body knew every inch of him and knew it well , it knew how crazy it worked and him touching me like this reignited whatever I had buried long before now . I didn't respond . I stared at the wall , my heart pounding , trying to pretend the heat of his chest didn't burn through the thin silk of my nightgown . By morning , I was already awake when he got up and dressed . His voice came calm and low , " there's an emergency meeting with one of the staff at our headquarters here , I have to stay . " I turned toward him , " what ? Can't I just head home on my own ? This doesn't mean anything for me right ? " He buttoned his shirt and shook his head . " No , we need to be seen together , people talk , if something looks off , they'll run with it ." I didn't push . A part of me wanted to argue , but the other part , the one that still felt shaken around his father , kept my mouth shut . I watched him leave after he was dressed and when the door shut , I picked up my phone and called Lena . Her little face lit up the screen . " Mommy ! " " Hi , baby . Are you doing okay ? " My voice cracked a little . She nodded fast , a spoon in her hand . " They made me pancakes ! And juice ! I ate everything ." I smiled . " Good . You make sure you eat everything they give you . Be good , okay ? " " Okay , Mommy . But … is the angry man there ? " I blinked . " What ? " " The angry man , " she repeated . " Uncle Rick . " My chest twisted . I didn't know what to say , hearing Rick's name from Lena was something I would never have imagined . I was taken by surprise but I nodded , amused by her nickname for him . " Yeah ," I finally whispered , " he's here ," " I like it here , " she added , " It's big and shiny , " it didn't matter how Rick or his family was treating me , the fact that they were being nice to Lena and making her feel the fatherly love I never offered her warmed my heart . I laughed softly , tears stinging my eyes , " I miss you . " " Miss you too , " she said before blowing a kiss and ending the call . I stared at the black screen for a long second . The guilt of staying behind while she was somewhere else ate at me . I couldn't just sit in this room . 2/3 8:43 pm ED Chapter 16 55 vouchers I headed downstairs to the hotel bar and ordered a drink . Something light just so I could have my mind to stop racing but the peace didn't last . " Someone like you shouldn't be drinking alone , " a deep voice said beside me . I turned to find a man , tall , expensive - smelling cologne , smug smile . I rolled my eyes . " I'm fine , pease leave me alone . " He chuckled , " come on , just being friendly ." " I said I'm fine . " He didn't move . I stood , grabbing my purse , ready to leave but the moment I stepped away from the bar , he followed . " I just want your number , nothing more ." " Back off . " I warned . He reached for my arm . I twisted away , but he caught me fast and shoved me back against the wall . My breath caught in my throat , " I said I just want your number . " " Get off ! " My scream caught . Suddenly , he let out a sharp cry . His body jerked forward , crashing into the opposite wall . My hand flew over my mouth . Rick . He stood over the man , eyes black with fury , " no one messes with what's mine ." 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!