Page 78 of The Hunter

“It wasn’t my fault,” I repeated, but this time my words came out with a bit more confidence.

“Again.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

“Again.”

Something inside me cracked wide open. I kept saying it, the phrase transitioning from uncertainty to belief. My voice grew steadier. Stronger. Each repetition peeled away a layer of shame. Of self-blame. Of the carefully constructed lies Victor had carved into my skin.

I didn’t realize when Henry stopped prompting me. I kept going on my own, the words lifting the weight I didn’t even know I carried.

When I finally stopped, the silence left behind was different.

Not cold. Not accusing. It was…peaceful.

I didn’t think I’d ever know this feeling again, this sensation of freedom. Of letting go. But that’s what Henry helped me do. He helped me let go of the guilt. Of the fear. Of the mask I’d been forced to wear.

For the first time since Victor slipped his ring on my finger, I could feelheragain. The woman I used to be. The one Victor tried to erase.

But he failed. I was still here. I had Henry to thank for helping me see that.

Not caring about any repercussions, I hastily yanked Victor’s rings off my finger and tossed them into the fireplace with a grunt. Then I clutched Henry’s face and smashed my lips against his.

He froze, every muscle in his body going rigid as he sucked in a sharp breath. I jerked back, averting my gaze.

“Sorry. I— I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I got caught up in the moment. You should eat before your food gets cold.” I turned from him, those old feelings of shame slowly crawling up my spine once more.

But I only made it a few steps before a gentle hand closed around my wrist, tugging me into a warm, firm body.

It was one thing to be inches away as I changed the dressing on his injuries. Or wrap my arm around his waist as I helped him maneuver around the house.

This was completely different. This was skin against skin. Flesh against flesh.

Pain against pain.

“Kiss me again,” he said, practically pleading with me.

I shook my head. “It’s okay. We can just forget I ever did that.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth, and he ran the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip. Slow. Reverent. Affectionate.

“Do you honestly think I can ever forget how your lips felt against mine? I was just…surprised. So if you want this, if you wantme, kiss me again. And I swear I will absolutely fucking kiss you back. But this needs to beyourdecision.Yourchoice. I won’t take that away from you.”

I stared into his eyes, a myriad of thoughts filling my mind.

How did this man, thisstranger, understand what I needed more than anything?

Not protection.

Not rescue.

Choice.

My heart pounding, I rose onto my toes and inched my mouth closer to his.

“I choose this.”

Then I crashed my lips against his.