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When she questioned hi to knoho to seduce in the hotel room he’d paid for
As soon as she said Gabriel’s name, he’d backhanded her
She’d never been struck before There were a lot of things she’d never experienced before last night and this s where the flesh was tender and raw She hadn’t consented She hadn’t consented to any of it
Giuseppe’s previous tenderness had disappeared entirely He’d been in a rage, ripping the fabric fro her to the bed He’d called her naled, he’d struck her again
She stu the contents of her stoainst the counter and drank a glass of water
She thought she was in control She decided whoive her in return She was the one who spurned lovers But last night the control had been taken away frory, frustrated tears at the memory
She crept back to the bedroo When she heard the low sound of his snores, she kneas ti if the colors or stylesthe torn reerie on the floor
She heard a loud intake of breath co from the bed and spun around, terrified
Giusepperecorabbed the with her coat She was almost to the door when she realized that her Bauhtstand It was mere inches from his head
She wanted to retrieve it The watch was very valuable, for sentimental reasons
As she approached the bed, Pacciani’s breathing grew roan escaped hisback, she fled to the door, opening and closing it quietly
She left the watch behind
As she entered the taxi that would whisk her to the railway station, she began plotting her revenge All thoughts of Professor Gabriel O E wife, Julianne, fled from her raduation in Toronto” Gabriel held Julia’s hand as they explored the Ashmolean Museum, which was across the street from the Randolph Hotel
“I searched for you I was so sure you’d be there”
“I couldn’t be in the sao to you To do that in front of Jereo to your next graduation”
“Promise?”
“Absolutely”
She reached up to press their lips together “Thank you”
They continued walking through theto admire some of the items on display When they stopped in front of a panel that displayed aof St Lucy, Julia was reminded of Rachel