I

"What's the matter?" I inquired, noticing the thick steam billowing from th

vel. The steam began to fade a bit, and I turned my gaze to her fragile, expos

be so terrified

e complexion. Just seeing them made my chest constrict. I forced mysel

closer. She flinched but didn't retreat th

teady. My hand hovered near her shoulder, but I refrained from touc

if she was trying to listen, ye

of this worked. Why would she? Given her reaction, it was clear her lif

so I could hold it in my hand. The sound

to see. The warm spray hit my palm, complet

her tear-filled green eyes focused on the water in m

ving slowly. "Feel it

y to pull away. Yet, she remained still. The water made contact with

pered. "It wo

thing in her eyes, perhaps uncertainty, perhaps a hint of trust? I

ng myself to her level to ease her dis

a shake of her head. Instead, she

that as a caut

reathing was quick and shallow, yet she didn't resist; I doubted she had the s

I murmured. "I

ted within me. The scars on her skin, the fear in her eyes, the way sh

caused her

down. This wasn't the moment for that

small amount into my palm. "This is for your hair," I expl

hands and my face. Slowly, I began to massage the sha

okay?"

or a moment,

o

ansing herself. I meticulously washed her body, demonstrating the proper way to use the

ed, a reaction that both surprised and confused me. The reality of bathing someone else was foreign to me; I had only ever cared for my own needs in this way. Yet, here I was, engaged in an ac

ht a glimpse of the woman hidden beneath the layers of grime. To my astonishment, she was stunning, her skin was pale and remarkably cle

her a towel, stepping back to gr

sincerely, and she look

ng her to step out

t a sharp breath, my min

his pain upon her?

e was drawn to the bed. The soiled sheets had been removed, and a cloth lay neatly on

slightly, taking a step back. I let out a sigh and inhaled deeply. I p

u?" I inquired, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed

She tensed up, so I quickly slipped it on her, and it hung l

toward the door, and I could hear her