Page 144 of Break Out the Girl

François closes the distance between us in two swift strides, dropping to his knees right in front of the cushions. “Aurora, non. Please listen.”

“Why? So you can slip away into the dark again whenever you get bored?” An angry tear escapes my eye, which pisses me off to no end. Then another follows, and within seconds, the cramping in my stomach and the absolute agony of the last four days completely breaks me. I cover my face with my hands, my shoulders shaking as I start sobbing.

His stupid arms go around me. François pulls me tightly into his chest, murmuring words I don’t catch.

“I’m just pre-menstral,” I say in a snarling whisper. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“Of course it doesn’t, ma petite. You are suffering pain.” He rocks me slightly like I’m a fractious baby.

And I hate how comforting it is.

“I never left you,” he murmurs fiercely into my hair.

“Bullshit.”

“Non, no. Aurora, listen to me. I had unfinished business to attend to. But it was complicated. I didn’t know if it was possible. I didn’t want to give you false promises.”

I sneer, pulling back. “You’ve never promised me anything, François, so don’t worry, you’re all good. Free to fuck off again.”

He freezes. “I may have not verbalized my promises, but the vows I have made to you are carved into my cold heart.” He lets out a long breath, looking frustrated. “My vow to see no harm come your way was under threat. I had to go.”

Sniffling, I allow myself to be cradled once more, my nose pressed against his sweater. “What threat?” I ask, despite myself.

“I’ll explain everything, but first.” He pulls back, reaching over to the box on the counter. “I count the days, so I know your time of suffering is here.”

He pulls out a heating pad wrapped in soft sheepskin from the supplies. It’s the cordless, rechargeable kind. “For the cramps.” Next is a massive box of expensive dark chocolates, followed by some organic tampons and a selection of period panties.

A choking laugh slips out of my throat. It’s so absurdly, completely thoughtful.

In the middle of everything, he had noticed exactly what time of the month it was for me, and figured out what he could bring to make it better.

“Thank you,” I whisper, holding the heating pad to my chest.

He takes it from me and switches it on. “I precharged it.” While he’s talking, I pull the ribbon from the chocolate box and blindly grab one.

Fuck yes. Salted caramel.

“Want one?” I ask him.

François takes the seat next to me. “They are for you, mon amour.”

“Eh, I’ll give you the pineapple ones, they’re bullshit anyway.”

He grins, allowing me to place the candy in his mouth. After a couple of chews, his expression turns serious.

“I must tell you where I have been. I went home, Aurora, and met with my father.”

Thomas Fucking Douche Crankshawe.

“You did what? Why?”

“To destroy him in the way that would benefit us the most.”

Uh, what?

“He’s done, chérie.” François’s tone is bland, like he’s discussing the weather. “I used my hypnosis and forced him to undo his guardianship of you.”

I stare at him, mouth falling open. “What? So, like, I’m… I’m free?”