Chapter 86.

Charlie POV.

Every day I have entered the room and stay in the same space as her and each time she watches me, I know she doesn’t believe I’m really here and I’m a threat and I have no-one to blame but myself.

But today is different. Today I am sitting by the door reading a book. When I see her out of the corner of my eye as she moves closer to me. I don’t look at her. I continue doing what I’m doing as she moves to sit beside me.

She has started to eat again, little and often. So that is progress. She isn’t vocal, though. She is watching me and I continue to read, keeping my heartbeat steady. Valour purrs and it rumbles in my chest at how close she is.

She doesn’t flinch; she blinks and watches my face. I turn slowly to look at her and smile at her. She blinks her beautiful green eyes at me and moves back, but she is still looking at me.

“Rosa, are you ok?” I ask her gently and she gulps and tilts her head. I know she is in there somewhere.

“Cece, are you ok?” she pulls her face away