Page 159 of Jude

He was leaner than before, but the gaunt, ghostly hollows from the last time I saw him were gone.

He’s sleeping and eating well again, I realized, a wave of relief washing over me.

As did a surge of feeling.

I still loved him, with a ferocity that took my breath away.

He advanced with a folder in his hands that I flicked my eyes to before returning to his face.

His gaze was on me with an intensity that made me hitch, as my throat went dry.

‘How’re you doing, Sofia?’

His hoarse rasp set off arcs of electricity down my spine.

‘I’m managing,’ I whispered.

‘How’s work? How’re you holding up out here?’

I focused my gaze dead center on his chest, fearing I would break down if our eyes met again.

‘I’ve got regular shifts now. I’m finding my footing, Jude.’

He nodded, his rasp softening.

‘That’s good, babe. You deserve peace.’

His expression hardened again, turning somber as he extended the thick leather binder toward me.

‘What’s this?’

‘Inside is my legal will,’ he murmured, eyes on me with such intensity I jolted. ‘It transfers fifteen million dollars to your name, plus half of my future royalties.’

Was he out of his mind? I thought, my sanity spinning.

‘I’ve included divorce papers that I’ve already signed. You’re free, secure, and safe from my mess.’

Shock hit me like a physical blow. ‘The hell?’

‘I love you,’ he rumbled, his timbre cracking on the words. ‘I’m sorry for the pain I caused. I’ve never loved another woman as I do you, babe. If you want me as your husband, I’m yours. If you want me gone, I’m offering you your freedom. You won’t ever have to see me again.’

He held the binder in front of me.

I shook my head, pushing his hands away, rejecting the offering in a surge of emotion.

‘Why are you doing this? I’ve been clear I don’t want your money..’

With a sigh, he searched the small area and set the documents onto a clean bin lid next to me.

‘Do with it what you want.’

I gaped at him as the reality of his total surrender hit me.

He was giving it all up for me, I realized, my chest aching so hard I almost gasped at the agony.

‘See you around, babe.’

He seemed to rasp the words from the depths of his soul.