Page 102 of My Damaged Protector

I don't want to imagine what he would have done if I wasn't here.

The thought of reporting him to the police occurs to me, but I know Sarah wouldn't like that. When I'm back inside the living room, I think of going to tell Sarah, but I decide against it almost immediately.

I don't want to disturb her sleep, and she doesn't even believe Peter is dangerous.

What do I do then?

How do I protect her?

As I ponder what to do, a thought hits me and it brings a big smile to my face.

Maybe Sheila isn't so wrong, after all. I could stay. Not bother myself about the secret Sarah is hiding from me and just focus on caring for and protecting her.

Eventually, she'll trust me and tell me the truth, right?

I'm going to tell her this tomorrow morning. And hopefully soon, we can both find a way to put this Peter issue to rest finally.

30

SARAH

I wakeup to the strong and tantalizing smell of coffee wafting through the air. Although awake, I don't feel like getting out of bed, and I know it's because of the pregnancy.

The symptoms are starting to rear their head.

Groaning, I push myself off the bed and ease myself into the bathroom, after which I rinse my mouth and wash my face.

When I come back out into my room, I go to find proper clothes to put on. It's a good thing Ian didn't come into my room last night. I wouldn't have been able to explain why I have my bags packed.

My phone starts to ring when I'm halfway dressed. I rush to pick it up, eager to hear what Tim has to say. I've been expecting his call all night long.

“Tim?”

“It’s done,” he says, making a huge grin break over my face.

My God. Finally.

At least I can now put this whole thing behind me.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Just doing my job,” he says calmly. I chuckle at that. Now's not the time for him to be modest.

“Well, you do it well.”

“I do, don't I? I wonder if that means I'll?—“

“Don't even think about it,” I warn, cutting off whatever nonsense I know he has to say that's going to end with more money in his pocket and less in mine.

“Can't blame me for trying.”

I smile. “When do I get the key? I'm planning on going today.”

“I'm keeping it for you somewhere on the property. The realtor should meet you there, too. Although, I have to say, this is only possible because the house was empty, so, don't expect me to be able to pull this kind of string in the future so fast, okay?”

“Noted, Tim. I don't doubt your abilities to get things done when needed, though.”

“Uh-huh, no. Don't butter me up. This town better be the one you stay in for the rest of your life. I still don't know how I'm going to pull this new pen name thing off without people suspecting that it's you as it is.”

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