Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Yuki nods, and I give Rocco a thankful smile before I lead her back down the path so she can see the rest of the garden.
As we pass the pond, she asks, “Who feeds the koi?”
“Rocco.”
“Do you think he’ll mind if I do it?”
“Not at all. I’ll tell him to show you where he keeps the food.”
“Thank you,” she replies, her tone soft but respectful.
We walk over a bridge, and instead of looking around us, I keep stealing glimpses of Yuki’s face. Her expressions change constantly, and every few seconds, apprehension still makes an appearance.
At least she’s not cowering in fear anymore.
After the stroll through the garden, we head back to the house, and as we approach the sliding doors, Yuki suddenly stops dead in her tracks, her eyes locked on our reflections showing in the glass.
Her lips part as if she’s in shock, and slowly she lifts her fingers to touch the flower I placed by her ear.
She said she’s still getting used to what she looks like, so I wait patiently for her to process whatever she’s feeling.
A new worry slithers into my heart, and I ask, “Did they do plastic surgery on you?”
She shakes her head and continues to walk into the living room. “No, the doctor just dissolved the fillers I used to get.”
A dark frown forms on my forehead as I sit down on one of the couches. “How often did you get them?”
Yuki takes a seat across from me. “Every three months.” She swallows hard and looks at the black TV screen. “I had to get dental work done, though.” Clearly uncomfortable, she keeps staring at the TV. “To replace the teeth I lost…during the…uhm…after what happened in the hangar.”
Fuck.
A heavy silence descends on the room, and as I stare at Yuki, I’m struck with another tidal wave of intense guilt.
My voice is hoarse when I murmur, “I’m sorry.”
Yuki lowers her eyes to where her hands are lying in her lap. “You didn’t know I was a woman. I kept quiet because I was scared you would kill me if you realized I’m not Ryo.” She twists her fingers together. “And I was worried you’d do worse to me.”
“None of what happened in the hangar is your fault,” I say, just in case she needs to hear it. “It’s all on me.” I rest my forearms on my thighs before I ask, “What happened after Kano took you from the hospital?”
“I started my training while they waited for my face to heal.”
“What training?”
“How to be the perfect wife.”
Needing to know more, I push a little harder. “What did that entail. Tell me everything they taught you.”
Because I’m sure half of it is probably fucked up shit that’s going to piss me off.
Yuki’s back is ramrod straight, and she keeps her gaze locked on her hands as she says, “I got cooking lessons from a chef. Yutaro showed me how to do laundry and iron clothes.”
She pauses to swallow hard, and I get up and go to the kitchen to get two waters from the fridge.
Handing her a bottle, I murmur, “Drink some before you continue.”
She listens, and while I take a few sips, her tone tenses as she carries on with everything she was taught.
When shame flashes over her features, I know she’s leaving out something horrible.
Taking a wild guess, I ask, “Did you get lessons on sex?”
Her fingers crush the bottle as she nods.
My voice deepens with rage. “Did anyone touch you in an inappropriate manner?”
Yuki shakes her head, and it offers me some relief.
Wanting to set her at ease, I say, “Whatever they taught you about sex is probably wrong. If anything ever happens between us, it will be natural and with your approval.” I set my water down on the table beside the couch before I continue, “I love your cooking, but you don’t have to make dinner every night. Have you met Anita?”
Yuki’s eyes lift to meet mine as she nods. “Samantha introduced me to her last week.”
“Good. Anita takes care of the cleaning and laundry, so I don’t want you to worry about it at all.”
She begins to look a little worried as she asks, “What do you expect me to do during the days?”
“I want you to enjoy life. Do whatever makes you happy.”
For the hundredth time, surprise flickers in her gaze.
Wanting to give her the option, I ask, “Would you like to see a therapist? You’ve been through a lot, and I think it would help if you spoke to a professional.”
“No, thank you,” she replies politely, her back still straight where she’s perched on the couch.
Silence falls between us again, and I give her some time so her emotions can settle after the serious topic we just discussed.
Chapter 17
Yuki
Tonight turned out completely different from what I expected.