And then, eleven years later, they tried to marry her off to Elder Jacob.
A man forty-one years older than her.
A man who already had three wives.
She ran.
Two weeks before the wedding, she stole money from the community fund and disappeared into the night.
Made it all the way to Little Rock before Sarah found her.
And then Sarah—someone Eden thought was helping her—drugged her and sold her to traffickers.
Who brought her to that auction.
Where I bought her.
Another man taking her choices. Taking her freedom.
Fuck.
I run my hands through my hair.
I'm not like them. I'm not.
But from Eden's perspective, how am I different?
I bought her. Brought her to my house. Keep her here against her will.
The only difference is the cage is prettier. The control more subtle.
But it's still control.
And she knows it.
I need to show her I'm different. Need to prove I'm not just another man trying to break her.
But how?
I pull up my phone. Scroll through my contacts. Find the number I need.
Dr. Naomi Caldwell. Sex therapist. Discreet. Works with trauma survivors.
I've never needed her services before. But she's been recommended by people I trust.
I dial.
She answers on the third ring. "Dr. Caldwell."
"This is Vaughn Sutherland. I need your expertise on a sensitive matter."
"I'm listening."
"I have someone staying with me. A woman. She's recovering from severe religious trauma. Purity culture. She's never hadany sexual experience and has been taught that her body is shameful. That desire is sin."
"I see. And you want to help her recover from that programming?"
"Yes."
