Chapter 280: Hurt to Heal

~ ZARA ~ 

Something strange was happening to Ash. It was like now that I'd finally pushed him away, he was starting to relax. Or maybe it was just because he wasn't holding back all these secrets anymore, I didn't know. All I knew was, he lost that edge as he sat there with me and started to relay what he remembered of our first months together.

"We were just friends first. You were wary at the beginning, but then you started to trust me. I proved that I was really working for you, really wanted you safe and I think that helped. Plus… you needed an ally in that house," he said darkly.

He sat on the other end of the couch, staring into the middle distance like he was seeing it all play out in his mind. His jaw was tight, but his shoulders were loose. His hand clenched to a fist on the arm of the couch. But he wasn't seeing me here and now anymore.