45 The Recounting

Trigger warning: Cora's **** details

Cora's words echoed in Andrew's ears. He had the urge to hold and protect her. He stood up and moved to sit beside her. He pulled her into his embrace.

"Tell me what happened."

She stared off into the distance as she recounted that night.

"I was dating a boy from my class back in my village. He seemed nice at first but I began to see how pushy and impatient he could be. He kept pressuring me about doing intimate things, but my family is traditional. Mommy taught us to be virgins for our husbands. She said unplanned pregnancy and promiscuous activity wouldn't be tolerated in our home. I was afraid to disappoint my mother but mainly, I just didn't want to give myself to him because the longer I knew him, the less I liked him. One night he announced he'd spent too much time and effort on me not to have any reward. He forced me down and said I'd like it, and to just stop fighting it. I bit and scratched and kicked, but I wasn't a match for him. He got what he wanted and I've felt dead inside ever since." Cora had tears rolling down her face by the time she finished.

"Give me his name." Andrew's voice was dangerously low.

"Why?" Cora asked.

"Because I'm going to castrate him and sell him on the black market as a slave." Andrew said.

"Revenge is drinking poison to kill your enemy. I'd rather live a good life making him realize I don't need him and he didn't destroy me." Cora said in response.

"I like my idea better." Andrew said.

Cora couldn't help but chuckle just a bit.

"Cora, don't you know though, I wouldn't reject you based on your virginity having been taken. I love you for you, and everything that makes you the woman you are. I still want to marry you." He said urgently.

"I want to marry you too, but I noticed whenever you tried to hold or kiss me my body starts shaking. I don't want to have that response to you, and you don't deserve it. Rachel says to remind myself that you aren't him." Cora said.

"I promise you, I will help you through this. There's no rush for us to enter into a sexual relationship. We can wait till we're married. And we can wait to consummate our marriage if needed. I am not that jerk, and I won't put pressure on you like that. We will move at a pace that lets you feel safe." Andrew solemnly promised her.

"So you really do still want to marry me?" Cora asked.

"Of course I do. I'm sorry it took me so long to swallow my pride and come to you. If you'll have me, I want to be your husband and I want to help you fight your battles." Andrew assured her.

"Then, yes, I'll marry you once I am twenty." She referred to the age of marriageability.

They ate companionably and Andrew took her back to the hotel.

"I booked the suite next to yours." He announced.

"How long will you be here?" She asked.

"I'd like to accompany you this week if you have no objections." He said.

"But won't you need to go back to the company?" She asked.

"I'm the CEO. I can have a vacation if I want to." He arrogantly told her.

She laughed. She was so thankful he'd chased her all the way to Japan. She was also thankful he was willing to travel the with her on her journey to healing.