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"I used to blame it on his job It was stressful He’s a police officer," she said, and he really didn’t like where any of this was heading "So, his job could be tough, but after a whileI just couldn’t deal with it any in the sa shells," he said, recalling when she’d said that before

Julia nodded "Leaving him was scary, because he was--he was all that I knew, and I’ve always been hesitant--kind of afraid It’s not like I don’t do new things--obviously It just takes s"

"Never would’ve guessed that last part," he teased

Another so I didn’t stay with hiht love would be enough"

"I don’t think you’re weak"

Another quick sh I don’tabout a person It can’t just be enough at the end of the day Not when it no longer feels like the person is walking the sah he was quite sure he’d never loved someone outside of his family "And he still calls you?"

"Hopefully not anymore" She reached for her drink and took a healthy s "It’s like he likes to check in I hate it, so I ignore it I actually changed ure out the new number"

Lucian really didn’t like the sound of that

"The thing is, I know he doesn’t want to get back together" She put her glass back down and for the first ti on, even if he has--and he has He’s rereed

Lucian wasn’t sure if he should ask the next question "Has he hurt you?"

Her brows lifted "Like physically? No He never did that He pulled the emotional and mental crap You know, the kind of stuff that doesn’t leave evidence behind"

"But doesn’t it, though?" he asked quietly "It’s in the way someone carries themselves It’s etched into every minute line of the face and in the shadows of their eyes It still leaves its mark"

Her chest rose heavily "Youyour father--did he?"

"Hit us? Froet physical That stopped when I got bigger or my brothers would step in"

Julia’s expression fell "I hate to hear that You should’ve never gone through that"

"Neither should you"

"You’re right" Nibbling on her lower lip, she brought one leg up onto the couch "Did he hit Madeline?"

"I would’ve killed hi moment and then a bit of blood drained fro"

"No" He met her wide-eyed stare "I’es of her sweater "Have you?"

"Have I what?" When she didn’t answer, he leaned forward, s"

She inhaled sharply "What kind of things, Lucian?"

"Things I’d do to your ex-husband if I ever had the pleasure ofhim"

"You can’t mean that You don’t--"

"Don’t say that I don’t know you, Julia I do You’re kind and nurturing You have the best laugh, but you don’t laugh nearly enough You’re ss, you’re brave And I hope you realize that last part You wouldn’t be in this house, far away fro you know, if you weren’t"

She let out a shaky breath

"And I know enough to know that you fall into that very ss to those who’ve hars?" she asked after a moment