Chapter 166

Eleanor felt uneasy as Benjamin stood opposite her in the lab. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but the memory of their last encounter lingered in her mind. She could almost still feel his breath on her neck and his wet tongue on her skin. It triggered a memory about her rape she had been trying to keep buried. Why was she always a victim of such ugly circumstances?

"I've been wanting to apologize," he began. "I had to come see you."

She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I appreciate that, but it's not just about the apology. I need you to stay away from me."

He looked taken aback, as if the idea had never occurred to him. "What do you mean, stay away from you?"

"I mean that I can't be around you right now. Not until I can trust you again," she explained. "I don't know what came over you the other day, but I don't want it to happen again."

The unexpected happened when Benjamin fell on his knees, looking up at her with remorse in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Eleanor. I don't