When she was dragged into the hall where we said our vows, it took all my self-control not to kill Yutaro Kano for manhandling her.
Tanaka didn’t even bother attending the wedding.
Just as well.
My eyes drift over the white silk covering her skinny body.
She needs to pick up weight.
Yuki lets out a soft groan before her lashes flutter, and as her eyes open, I stare at her beautiful face until her sight focuses on me.
“Before you panic. We are not consummating the marriage tonight,” I say to set her at ease. “We’ll get to know each other and take things from there.”
The fear and apprehension she displays around me return to her brown eyes as she slowly sits up. She rubs her hands over her upper arms as if she’s cold, and it has me taking off my jacket. When I drape it around her shoulders, confusion flutters over her face.
“Now that we’re alone, I want to apologize to you,” I say, and just like earlier when Enzo said he was sorry, she looks shocked out of her mind as she stares at me. “If I had known you were a woman, I wouldn’t have hit you. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you, and I hope to earn your forgiveness.”
When she keeps quiet, I rise to my full height again and take a seat on one of the other couches.
I stare at her for a long moment while I wait to see if she wants to reply to what I said.
When a minute passes, and it’s clear she isn’t going to say anything, I mention, “I ordered Japanese art and decorations. I thought that if you had something familiar in the house, maybe it would help this place feel a little more like home.”
Again, shock tightens her features, and as her lips part, she lowers her head, but not before I see her chin quiver.
All this woman has known from me is violence, and wanting to show her I’m not a monster, I get up and take a seat beside her.
Yuki flinches when I place my arm around her shoulders, then I feel her body starting to tremble.
Keeping my voice gentle, I say, “We’ve had a very rocky start, but I want you to know, I’ll never hit you again.”
She keeps her head lowered, and I get the impression she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.
It’s going to take time.
Pulling away from her, I climb to my feet again. “Let me show you where everything is. I’m sure you want to get out of that dress.”
Yuki gets up, her movements tense as if she’s waiting for me to pounce on her.
Knowing nothing I say will help, I gesture at the remote lying on the coffee table. “Do you want me to show you how the TV works?”
She shakes her head while slipping my jacket off and holding it out to me.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No.”
I take it from her and walk toward the kitchen. “I have a housekeeper who comes in three times a week to clean. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”
“I can do the washing and ironing,” Yuki says.
I shake my head. “You don’t have to. I want you to take time to heal after all the shit you’ve been through.”
We step into the kitchen, and I open one cupboard after another, showing Yuki what’s in each one.
“If there’s anything you want, just buy it.”
She wraps her arms around her middle and begins to nibble on the inside of her cheek.
