Page 37 of Saved By Two

“No, she whimpered a little, but once I moved her head onto your lap, she settled.”

Jessica takes that moment to blink awake, looking up at me from my lap. A smile breaks out on her face, and I half expect her to panic, but instead, she surprises me when she says, “Sorry, did I crash out on you guys?”

“It’s okay, little one, you don’t snore that much,” I say, flicking the tip of her nose.

She laughs and lifts her chin to see Caleb from where she is and blushes before she moves into a sitting position holding her ribs as she does.

“Considering I took over the sofa, I have to say I slept really well,” she admits sheepishly.

Somehow that knowledge makes me breathe a little easier.

ChapterNineteen

JESSICA

It's strange how time can move so differently, from one week to the next. The first week I was here, it was as though time had stood still and now not so much. It’s been three weeks, and I feel like I can breathe somewhat easier, even though my ribs still cause discomfort. My bruises are now a dull yellow as I begin to heal from the wounds inflicted by my abusive ex. And little by little, their presence has started to chip away at the walls I built, allowing rays of light to filter into the darkest corners of my broken heart as I struggle to come out of my shell and rebuild my shattered self-esteem.

The gentle hum of the city outside provides a comforting backdrop to my thoughts as I sit on the plush carpet of the living room floor, surrounded by the warmth of Caleb and Noah as they sit on the sofa. Both have become such unwavering support, allowing me sanctuary from the storm that engulfed my life, offering me safety. Their home has become my haven and not just because of its luxurious walls but because of the two extraordinary men who reside within them. They’re salvation I never knew I needed.

With his protective nature and uncanny ability to make me feel safe, Caleb has been coaxing out my inner fears and insecurities lately. If I startle at a sudden noise or flinch at an unexpected touch, he whispers soothing words to chase away the lingering fear.

Noah is the epitome of patience. He possesses a calm demeanour that always puts me at ease. The silence is no longer as loud—before it was excruciating—but now there’s solace in the quiet, an unspoken understanding between us acting as a salve to my wounded spirit. Noah’s smile is infectious, his smile contagious. He always has a way of making me forget my pain, if only for a moment.

Together, Caleb and Noah are a force to be reckoned with, balancing each other out in their own unique ways, making my road to recovery a little less lonely.

They encourage me to be me again, to find peace with who I am and not what I was forced to believe I was, which was pretty much worthless, according to Curtis. They are a source of both strength and comfort. They’ve shown me what it means to be treated with kindness and respect, something I almost forgot existed—having lived with Curtis for nine months—as I open up to them little by little.

Being in such close proximity to Caleb and Noah, our lives have become intricately woven, even in such a short space of time.

The sun begins to set, casting an amber glow across the living room. With my back against the sofa, I glance back to Caleb and Noah on either side of me on the sofa, both engrossed in the film; it's become a nightly routine. My heart swells with gratitude for these two men who have seen me at my weakest and are helping me to find my inner strength.

The more the days pass, the more I know I’ll need to venture out into the real world at some point. It’s one thing living in the safety net they’ve created, but it’s another facing those fears outside the confines of these walls.

“What has you thinking so hard, sweet girl?”

My cheeks heat from his term of endearment. Lately, that’s all I do around these two men, but if they notice, they never comment.

“I’ve decided I want to start taking back my life. I want to look into maybe getting counselling.” I’ve been toying with it back and forth the last couple of days, now it’s something I finally dare to voice out loud.

Noah nods his agreement, and his eyes fill with a tenderness that touches my soul. “I think that's a courageous step.”

“You do?”

Caleb sits forward and touches my shoulder. “Yes, we both do. You have a resilience that is rare, Jessica. You’re one of the strongest people we’ve ever met.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and for the first time in what feels like a long time, they aren’t tears of pain or despair but gratitude and hope, a testament to how much these men have helped me.

“Get up here,” Noah says.

He lifts his arm as I settle between them. Then he tugs me close to his side before kissing the crown of my head. Caleb takes my hand, entwining my fingers with his. It seems strangely intimate and yet not strange at all.

I wipe under my nose and fight back the tears.

"I can help you with that," Caleb offers. “I can get it all arranged for you and have something set up.”

Shifting so I can see his face, I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that,” I say, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart.

He holds my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger with his free hand. “No, but I want to. I can help you find a therapist who specialises in trauma and abuse. You don't have to go through this alone."

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