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The dorm room door creaks open, and I glance up to find Sebastian peering out, concern etched into his features.

Instantly, the tension seeps from my body, and I throw myself into his arms.

He catches me, one hand tangling in my hair while the other rubs soothing circles over my back. “Shh, I’ve got you. It’s okay.”

The dam inside me cracks, then shatters, a flood of tears I can no longer contain breaking free. All the fear, hurt, and frustration I’ve bottled up pour out in ragged sobs against his shirt.

Sebastian simply holds me through it. Here, in his arms, I can be vulnerable. I can be me. His embrace is my refuge, the one place I can break down without fear of judgment.

When, at last, my tears subside, I peer up at him through wet lashes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”

“Shh.” He wipes the remaining moisture from my cheeks. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“Still. This shirt is ruined.” I tug at it.

“Then I’ll just have to take it off.” His lips quirk into a teasing grin, and warmth spreads through me, chasing away the last remnants of my earlier anguish.

“Is that so? Trying to get me naked again, Barron?”

“Always.”

And he does, giving me another orgasm in the shower. After that, he wraps me in a towel and we cuddle under the sheets, my head resting on his chest.

“Do you want to talk about it?” His fingers comb through my hair.

Will Uncle Marc send Levi next? And then Landon? I don’t want to think about it.

“Not really,” I murmur. “Will you tell me about your childhood?”

“What would you like to know?”

“Anything. I like hearing you talk about it.”

“Alright, let’s see… Gemma loved me telling her scary stories. But you already know that.”

“It doesn’t matter. Tell me again. Please.”

“We’d build like a little tent in her room. At night, we’d turn off the lights, and I’d tell her scary stories about monsters that are misunderstood and fairy tales. Mom always brought us cookies and juice and snuggled up with us.” He chuckles. “Even Dad joined us sometimes.”

Though I have few recollections of my family before Marc, listening to Sebastian share these cherished moments from hispast is like experiencing them, too, in a way. It’s like I’m being given a glimpse into another life I could have had.

“One time, Gem wanted to be a princess for Halloween, so Mom put me into a knight costume. I escorted her and her friends the whole night.”

“I bet you were quite the little knight.”

“Well, maybe one day I’ll escort you everywhere you want to go.” He grins. “And build you a castle with your own personal library.”

Warmth spreads through my chest at his playful yet sincere promise. “I’d like that. My very own knight in shining armor.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I’ve always been that for you, princess.”

“I know. Thanks.”

“Do you remember anything before you went to live with your uncle?”

“Not really. Flashes. Impressions. My mother baking cupcakes and her laughter.”

After a beat, he says, “Have you ever gone back to your old house?”

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