Page 52 of Isolation

“I don’t think you understand how it works. Girls are supposed to be wined and dined.”

“Okay.” Milo shrugs.

“Okay, what?”

He presses his lips on my temple. “I’ll take you out on a real date to wine and dine you.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Milo grins again. “That’s what it sounded like to me.”

My brows shoot up which just makes him laugh. Milo holds me tighter, careful not to make any sudden movements, and turns on the television.

My dread starts to dissipate with each passing second.

Right now, Milo feels like the man I used to know. The man who made me feel safe, not scared. The man who made me lunches, wrote me lunch notes, filled my empty heart. The man who takes care of me.Thisman almost seems real.

Is it possible to ever getthisman back without the nightmare man that follows?

I don’t know. All I know is I want to preservethisman in my memory. I want to make every second count whenever I getthisman back in my life.

I lean on Milo’s broad chest, hug him tightly and breathe him in. He is surprised by my affectionate gesture and engulfs me into his body with both arms.

And that’s exactly where I stay for the rest of the evening.

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Milo

Raven was terrified last night. I watched her with apprehension till I felt her body calm down. Afterward, she stayed complacent in my arms for hours.

She later asked me to sleep in my room, citing respect for our parents as the reason.

However, I know better. She doesn't want me to hear her nightmares. I have heard her scream in her sleep… asking me to stop.

I thought enough time had passed, but Raven is still terrified of me. I have no idea of the depth of her emotional scars which means she might never be okay.

I thought she only freaked out if I forced her. Now it’s likely that she will always react to just the threat of getting physical with me.

These reactions might be permanent.I have to find a way to make her feel safe again in my presence.

Raven’s well-being has finally trumped my selfishness.

With that resolve, I open the door to Raven’s room.

“I have a surprise,” I announce. I pull out Raven’s favorite candy bar from the kraft bag I brought along with me. I lay the bar on Raven’s side table and set the small bag on the floor.

Raven is sitting on her bed and packing one of the custom outfits she recently finished.

“You’re pregnant?” Raven quirks an eyebrow as she grabs the candy bar.

I smile at that. Raven’s sense of humor is back with full force. I’ve really missed this part of her.

I can’t put my finger to it but something has been different between us since last night. The moment I stopped after Raven asked me to, something changed for her.

“You’re funny.” I plop down on the bed next to her.

“I didn’t want to say anything, but you have been putting on some weight lately, especially around the midsection,” Raven gestures around her stomach. “Most people don’t show till the second trimester. Just saying!”