Rosalie was slightly stunned. She turned around to look at him, tears in her eyes.
For some reason, the moment those words left Justin’s mouth, her dam of emotions gushed forth like floodwaters. She threw herself into his arms, losing all control of herself. Burying her face into his chest, she burst out crying.
Rosalie’s pained cries sounded muffled against Justin’s chest. Her entire body shook as tears trickled down her cheeks, drenching his shirt.
Justin hugged her tight as he gently patted her back and caressed the back of her neck. He said nothing and simply let her cry in his arms. Rosalie was too exhausted. Over the past few days, she hardly ate or slept as she busied herself with Rebecca’s funeral. She was both emotionally and physically spent.
After she was all out of tears, fatigue overtook her. She unwittingly fell asleep in Justin’s embrace.
Justin looked down to see her fast asleep in his arms. Instead of waking her up, he carefully adjusted her position without waking her up. He leaned back against the couch, holding her in his hands and making it as comfortable as possible for her as she slept.
His heart broke at the sight of her cheeks, which were flushed from all the crying. He tenderly wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with his thumb as he whispered, Sleep. I’ll protect you.
Rosalie slept like this for an hour and a half.
When she woke up, the sky had turned dark. She opened her eyes and found herself in Justin’s arms. Remembering what had happened, she immediately sat up straight.
Rosalie’s eyes were red and swollen; she looked terrible.
Justin, how long did I sleep for?
Not for long, just one and a half hours, Justin replied, glancing at his watch.
Why didn’t you wake me up? She couldn’t believe she fell asleep in his arms.
Her voice was very hoarse, and Justin’s heart ached for her when he heard it.
You were too tired. I couldn’t bear to wake you up. Justin stretched his arms, numbed from Rosalie lying on them.
I’m sorry, Rosalie said apologetically. I slept in your arms for so long.
She was greatly troubled, with a ton of things on her mind. Now that she had found out that someone had caused Rebecca’s death and her ex-husband was so defensive over that particular someone, she was in great pain. She broke down in Justin’s arms, unable to rein in her emotions.
Everyone had times when they lost control of themselves and needed comfort.
Rosalie was glad that Justin was by her side, keeping her company and giving her that bit of comfort she needed.
Don’t worry about that. What would you like for dinner? I’ll prepare it for you.
I don’t have an appetite, Rosalie said.
You should at least eat something. I can whip up something appetizing. You can’t skip eating. You haven’t had a proper meal over the past few days, Justin said.
Rosalie looked blankly at him, her eyes hollow. Justin, why are you so good to me?
They had met under such dangerous circumstances. She never expected her relationship with Justin to develop this way.
She knew Justin was a dangerous
man, but he wasn’t a bad man. In fact, he was better than most men; his circumstances and experiences simply forced him to become cold-blooded and heartless.
What about you? Why are you so good to me? Justin asked her back.
Because you’re my savior, Rosalie answered, Had you not saved me back then, I would have lost my life and my baby would have lost his mom. I feel very grateful to you.
Do you only feel grateful to me? Am I just a benefactor to you? Justin looked despondent.
Of course not. You’re a friend, too, Rosalie said.
It was rare to find a friend as loyal and kind as Justin.
Rose, Justin said as he suddenly grabbed her hand. Aside from friends, can we be…something else?
His gaze was expectant, filled with tenderness.