Page 88 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“What’re you doing?”

She glanced up with a sheepish grin. “Stir-fry. It’s a new recipe. I tried it out last night with Jake and Marnie, and they loved it.” She pointed to his tablet. “I downloaded the recipe, scrounged the ingredients, and began cooking. I was sure you wouldn’t mind.”

Her face was a mixture of earnestness and confidence. She was right—he didn’t mind. In fact, he was ready to fall at her feet in gratitude. “What can I do to help?”

“Make sure Bianca isn’t tiring out the girls?”

This he could do. This was easy. He made his way to the girls’ bedroom. The dog lay on her side and the two girls had their heads resting against her chest.

“Daddy, we can hear the thump.” Mira pointed to Bianca. “Come listen.”

Not entirely sure what thethumpmeant, he eased himself to the floor. Mimicking the girls, he placed his ear against Bianca’s chest while not placing any weight on the dog.

He heard her heartbeat, strong and sure.

“Daddy, hear the thump?”

“That thump is a heartbeat.” He raised his head so he could see both girls. “You young ladies have a heartbeat as well.”

Calleigh’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“When we go to the doctor, sometimes they check your heartbeat.” He loved this part of fatherhood—the ability to teach, to share knowledge.

“Wow.” Mira’s grin was from ear to ear. “Can we go tell Olivia?”

“That sounds like a great idea. She’ll be happy to hear Bianca has a heartbeat. Be careful—she’s cooking”

The two girls nodded and then scrambled to the kitchen.

Bianca gave him a long-suffering look. Then she angled her head and gave his knuckles a swipe with her tongue.Thank you. Whether the gratitude was from her to him or him to her, it didn’t matter. This was a special dog.

He felt the familiar pang whenever he was around the dog. Having always had a dog growing up, he planned to raise his children the same way. He was grateful they hadn’t gotten a dog before Mira was born, as it would’ve been one extra responsibility for him to shoulder. But some days he felt his daughter was missing out on a critical childhood experience.

Olivia’s call to dinner pulled him from his reverie. He glanced at his watch, surprised to see so much time had passed. The whole day felt off because of his wife. He had the distinct impression he hadn’t said or done the right things.

What do I do next?

Chapter thirty-seven

Remyscrubbedasthesteam rose from the showerhead. The water scalded her skin, but still she persisted.

Would she ever feel clean again?

She could still see herself the morning after. He’d taken her virginity. He’d taken her sense of safety and security as well. Years had passed, and she still had moments when the memories snuck up on her. The panic attack in her boss’s office proved she wasn’t as healthy as she hoped.

The debacle of her honeymoon was all the proof she ever needed.

What must Rusty think of her?

What did she think of herself?

She was most bothered by having no memory of that night. Had she consented? Had she let him seduce her? Did it matter? In her heart, she knew the truth. He’d violated her in the worst way possible. The only reason he would’ve rinsed out the glasses was if he’d drugged her. She should’ve gone to the hospital to get blood tests.

But then they would’ve wanted to do a rape kit, and she hadn’t been sure she could survive the humiliation. Later she’d been taught that it could’ve been empowering for her because she would’ve been providing evidence.

Now, from her on-the-job experience, she knew two things—most women didn’t report the rape, and most rapists had more than one victim.

That thought made her shiver despite the constant stream of hot water.

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