When we had her in the hanger, I should’ve noticed she has feminine hands.
Letting the shame roll through me, I lead Yuki to the side of the house, and when I see Rocco, I say, “Radio the other guards to join us.”
“Yes, boss.”
While he carries out the order, I glance down at the woman I married so I could give her a peaceful life where she can be happy.
She looks much healthier, and she’s not wound so fucking tense anymore.
Noticing the changes in her is like a soothing balm to my heart and wounded self-respect.
This marriage is good for Yuki and me.
After the other guards join us, I quickly introduce Yuki. I see the surprise on her face when they treat her with respect, and as they all return to their posts and only Rocco remains, I say, “Rocco will do random checks inside the house from tomorrow, so don’t get a fright if you run into him.”
Yuki nods, and I give Rocco a thankful smile before I lead her back down the path so she can see the rest of the garden.
As we pass the pond, she asks, “Who feeds the koi?”
“Rocco.”
“Do you think he’ll mind if I do it?”
“Not at all. I’ll tell him to show you where he keeps the food.”
“Thank you,” she replies, her tone soft but respectful.
We walk over a bridge, and instead of looking around us, I keep stealing glimpses of Yuki’s face. Her expressions change constantly, and every few seconds, apprehension still makes an appearance.
At least she’s not cowering in fear anymore.
After the stroll through the garden, we head back to the house, and as we approach the sliding doors, Yuki suddenly stops dead in her tracks, her eyes locked on our reflections showing in the glass.
Her lips part as if she’s in shock, and slowly she lifts her fingers to touch the flower I placed by her ear.
She said she’s still getting used to what she looks like, so I wait patiently for her to process whatever she’s feeling.
A new worry slithers into my heart, and I ask, “Did they do plastic surgery on you?”
She shakes her head and continues to walk into the living room. “No, the doctor just dissolved the fillers I used to get.”
A dark frown forms on my forehead as I sit down on one of the couches. “How often did you get them?”
Yuki takes a seat across from me. “Every three months.” She swallows hard and looks at the black TV screen. “I had to get dental work done, though.” Clearly uncomfortable, she keeps staring at the TV. “To replace the teeth I lost…during the…uhm…after what happened in the hangar.”
Fuck.
A heavy silence descends on the room, and as I stare at Yuki, I’m struck with another tidal wave of intense guilt.
My voice is hoarse when I murmur, “I’m sorry.”
Yuki lowers her eyes to where her hands are lying in her lap. “You didn’t know I was a woman. I kept quiet because I was scared you would kill me if you realized I’m not Ryo.” She twists her fingers together. “And I was worried you’d do worse to me.”
“None of what happened in the hangar is your fault,” I say, just in case she needs to hear it. “It’s all on me.” I rest my forearms on my thighs before I ask, “What happened after Kano took you from the hospital?”
“I started my training while they waited for my face to heal.”
“What training?”
