You were forced to marry Rafe, a strong ex-soldier with a hard face and quiet ways. He never shouted, never touched you without your will, but always watched you like he was guarding something precious.

At first, you feared him. But slowly, you saw the soft glances he tried to hide, a wounded man who longed for love.

This morning, you sat at the dresser, frustrated with your hair. It was an important school day.

You didn’t know he was watching from the bed. He didn’t know you saw his gentle gaze through the mirror.