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He’d gotten the i

s, but he hadn’t realized the scope of Sarah’s childhood, of what she’d had to overcome to achieve those academic scholarships she’d mentioned

“She lives in a group home for abused women I used to offer to let her live with me, but she never would She leaves the hooes back This last time, she took a job at the shelter It suits her She feels safe there with other women who hate men”

A bit stunned she’d revealed so ain, this woman amazed him He wanted to take her into his arms, protect her from the world, and tell her how proud he was, but she was as bristly now as he’d been minutes before

“So, yeah, your big, loud, but loving fa I’ve never had and grew up drea of” Every word dripped disapproval of his behavior

“I’m sorry,” he said, and meant

“Don’t be Just appreciate what you have, because I don’t believe you do”

“I like my family”

She looked hiht in the eyes and asked a question that told him she saw further beneath the surface than any other person ever had “Just not Charles?”

The question, the answer, gutted him

“I don’t want to talk about Charles”

Because seeing Charles ree, of how he had sothat had happened after he’d lost Nina to his cousin

Sarah’s lips pursed with disappointment In him He didn’t like it

“Like I’ve said before,” she continued, not backing away from the subject despite his desire that she would, “Charles is an excellent man, an excellent boss and doctor He’s a fabulous father and just look at how he is with Grace” She cast a longing glance toward the couple “I’ve met few better men in my life and none I admire more, especially at the moment”

Which was a direct dig at him Jude bristled