Page 115 of Before Dawn

A breath caught in my throat, heat unfurling in my chest. The way he said it—like it was a fact, like he’d thought about it—made my pulse stutter.

“And if you’re talking about belly fat,” he continued, voice dropping to a husky whisper, “I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s fucking sexy.”

His grip tightened slightly, his eyes burning with sincerity. “And those aren’t even the most attractive things about you. Because nothing comes close to your mind, your heart, your strength, your intelligence. You’re incredible, Red. Every. Single. Part. Of. You. ”

I swallowed hard.

And for the first time, I didn’t just hear the words—I felt them.Deep in my bones. Settling into the spaces Joshua had hollowed out.

My chest ached, my heart swelling as no one had ever spoken to me with such reverence and raw honesty, making me feel truly deserving of love and respect.

“Mikkel,” I whispered, his name the only thing I could choke out past the tight knot in my throat. “I always felt like I needed to cover up.”

The fierce edge in his expression softened into something impossibly tender. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” His thumb traced my cheek, the touch grounding. “But just know, you never need to hide from me. Ever. You should wear whatever you want.”

I shook my head, struggling to believe this was real. “It really doesn’t bother you?” The words felt small, fragile, compared to how much this insecurity had consumed me.

“Why would it?” His brows pulled together like the question itself made no sense. “I know I’m dating aridiculouslyattractive woman, and it’s my job to protect you. Men will look whether you’re in pants or shorts.”

I blinked, still caught between disbelief and something dangerously close to hope.

“Clothes don’t invite torment,amor.Men do.” His voice darkened, edged with quiet fury. “It’s uncontrollable, disgusting men who take and take without consequence.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, he continued, “Plus, a man knows better than to touch what’s mine. He’d lose his hands before he even tried.”

A slow heat unfurled inside me, the way it always did when he said things like that—not suffocating, not controlling, just making me feel safe. Cherished. Wanted.

“I guess I’m insecure,” I admitted, the words slipping out like a confession.

Mikkel exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Hewas insecure. And because he knew you were better than him—way out of his league in every way—he made you doubt yourself. There’s a big difference between a man and a boy, Red.”

The weight in my chest grew heavier. I knew what I had to say next, but the words felt like stones in my throat.

“I—” My breath caught. “I was cheated on. Repeatedly.”

Mikkel’s whole body stilled. His eyes sharpened, disbelief and fury flickering in them. “What?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Joshua,” I whispered, and just saying his name made my chest tighten. “He cheated on me with someone I thought was a friend. Gianna.”

Mikkel’s grip on my hand tightened, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in slow, reassuring circles.

“I didn’t see it coming,” I admitted. “Or maybe I did. Maybe I ignored the signs, thinking if I just tried harder, gave him more, it would get better. But it never did. He was with her for months before I found out. Then came the drinking. The gaslighting. The fights.”

Mikkel’s jaw ticked. “Ese pedazo de mierda,”53 he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. “You didn’t deserve that.”

I swallowed hard. “I thought I was enough for him.” My voice broke, quieter now. “But clearly, I wasn’t.”

Mikkel cupped my face in both hands, holding me there, forcing me to look at him. “Abigail.” His voice was steady, but it vibrated with something deeper. “He wasn’t enough for you.Do you hear me?” His grip tightened just slightly, not enough to hurt, just enough to make sure I understood. “You. Are. Enough. You always have been.”

A tear slipped down my cheek, but for the first time, it didn’t feel like weakness. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Something inside me cracked open. I had never told anyone before. Saying it out loud felt… freeing.

Mikkel watched me carefully. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

I hesitated, but the weight in my chest had lifted. “Another night.” I exhaled slowly, nodding to myself. “Let’s talk about you.”

His lips curved slightly. “What do you want to know?”

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