Chapter 72

Hendrick's POV:

I haven't stopped thinking about her, but not obsessively. She makes me feel sane. She is like a cure I need. I was going to let her be; after all, Chad had warned me about her, but the minute I saw her, something more significant than I could explain compelled me to stay with her. To get to know her. Trying to put distance didn't help when she was so affectionate. I hate physical contact, but her touch I welcome. The way she caressed my cheek or stroked my hair almost had me purring like a puppy.

The first time she slept in my arms, I didn't even want to close my eyes, not wanting to miss a moment of her peaceful face scrunched into the cutest frown as she slept. Eventually, I fell asleep, and for the first time in years, I didn't have a nightmare, and I didn't hear the voices that had tormented me since I could recall.

Today, I felt lucid, so I took advantage of Dr. Strauss's absence and left my castle. I needed to see her. I hid in my mother's garden because I