Soon, she was openly weeping, unable to control the flood of emotions that had taken over her.
Sterling joined Faye on the bed, taking a seat behind her. "Don't worry, Faye. You have nothing to be ashamed of," he reassured her.
She faced him, tears drenching her face. "It's not my shame that concerns me…but your pity. Please don't look at me like that. I don't want you to think I am weak and vulnerable."
Sterling chuckled as he scooped Faye into his lap. She rested her tired head on his shoulder. "Trust me, darling butterfly, I do not for an instant believe you to be weak or vulnerable. Rather the opposite, I think of you as a fierce lion. The only person I pity in the world is Aaron Montgomery—when I see him again. I will put him to death at the end of my blade for the atrocities he has committed against you."