Chapter 39

—Tristan—

I rested my head back on the pillow. I wasn’t tired despite the long night I’d had, but I couldn’t bring myself to get up with Ellie in my arms. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to relax. I had fallen into a light slumber when she stirred, jerking me awake.

She stiffened in my hold. “It’s strange when your nightmares are less horrendous than reality,” she whispered.

“I’ve lived it, Querido. It makes you stronger.”

“I wished you had taken me on the first day, back in that basement on that dirty mattress like the whore that I am.” The words ripped from her throat as if every syllable was pure agony. I tensed, turning her around to me, feeling so fucking angry. For an instant, she shrank back from the force of my fury, but then she met my gaze. She lay unmoving on her side, eyes full of anguish.

“You aren’t a whore. Is your fucking virginity all that matters to your family?”

“It’s not just that I’m no