Bastien kept walking slowly with Kate leaning on him. They reached the apartment, and Bastien took Kate to her room.—Freshen up. I'll go prepare dinner.—Thank you.Bastien went to prepare everything while Kate stepped into the shower. The water calmed her, but Aracely’s words were still etched in her mind. Her heart wanted to run to Bastien, but her mind said no—she shouldn’t. Bastien had humiliated her, and she wouldn’t forgive that. She got out of the shower and put on her pajamas, wrapping her hair in a towel so it wouldn't wet her back. When she went into the kitchen, Bastien was cooking a healthy dinner. He turned around to look at her.—Kate, you can’t keep your hair wet, you’ll catch a cold.Bastien walked over to her and led her to the bathroom.—Let me help you.He sat her down and began brushing and drying her hair carefully. Kate could see in the mirror how focused Bastien was, trying not to pull or hurt her. Once it was dry, he braided it gently.—All done.During the wh

Kate stood up, took two sandwiches, and left the room. She walked to the plaza, and there, under a tree, Bastien was sitting with his gaze lost on a couple playing with their little daughter. He watched them sadly while the man hugged his wife. Kate couldn’t help but feel sorry seeing him so sad. She sat beside him and handed him a bread roll.—Are you hungry? —Bastien jumped and looked at Kate—Kate, what are you doing here? How could you walk all that way alone? Something could’ve happened to you. Why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t you…—Shh, shut up. Take this, eat the bread, you haven’t eaten anything. —Bastien lowered his gaze and took the bread wrapping just like Kate. He ate slowly while Kate watched him.—Why are you doing this, Bastien?—Because I’m selfish. If I can’t let you go, I’ll pretend I can. That day you told me my presence hurt you. I’ve done you enough damage; I don’t want to keep hurting you, Kate. —Bastien didn’t look at Kate at any moment; he ate the sandwich an

Kate was sleeping, but in the middle of the night, the coldness of the bed woke her up. It was around 4 a.m. She felt Bastien’s side and it was empty. She got up in the darkness. Walking toward the living room, she heard Bastien talking on the phone. She walked slowly and could feel Bastien furious while smoking by the window so Kate wouldn’t inhale the cigarette smoke.“I don’t care what you have to do, I don’t care how much you have to spend or who you have to torture. I want to know how the hell a letter got to Kate, how they knew I was here. That means they’re following her. That means they could hurt her. I don’t want excuses. If you have to check all the cameras in this damn city, then do it, for God’s sake, but I want answers. I won’t let them keep tormenting my woman. The photos they left me today were of Kate. They took photos of her to make the montage. That means they’ve been following her. How the hell don’t they notice? What am I paying them for? I told them that Kate’s s

Bastien stopped in the street while Kate looked at him.—Why did we stop?—Remember I promised my baby girl I’d take her to eat whatever she wanted for being good? Well, we’re going to that restaurant —Bastien leaned in and whispered—. Their specialty is cakes and desserts.—Will I get to eat cake?—With extra chocolate —Bastien whispered, then caressed her cheek—. But just this once, I don’t want your blood pressure to go up. Promise me you’ll be a good girl afterward.—I promise.Bastien got out and opened her door as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Her scent overwhelmed Kate, who couldn’t help but close her eyes to inhale it. Bastien looked at her and, taking advantage of her closed eyes, kissed her lips. She opened her eyes.—Bastien! You sneak!—You closed your eyes, that was my signal.—You take advantage of every situation.—I do. Come on —Bastien gave her his hand and helped her out.They walked to the restaurant where a table was waiting. The waiter arrived, and Bastien ordered a

Dawn came, and Kate was awakened by the aroma of coffee and toast. She got up and went to the kitchen; Bastien was still in his pajamas cooking breakfast. Kate leaned against the wall watching him—his back and arms were perfectly defined. Bastien felt her gaze and turned around. A smile appeared on his face as he approached her.“I was going to bring breakfast to your bed,” he said, gently kissing her lips.“I don’t want to lie down all day.”“But you can’t stand either, princess. Sit down while I finish,” Bastien said as he served breakfast and they sat to eat.“Oatmeal, how delicious.”“Did you like it?”“Yes, just the way you make it.”“It’s good for digestion, love.” Kate ate everything while Bastien sipped his coffee.“I’m going to change clothes to go out, Kate.”“Are you going?”“Yes, I have to go to work in the city.”“Drive carefully—you always drive fast.”“Because I want to come back soon. Don’t worry, I’ll be here to cook your dinner. I left something ready for you to lunc