CHAPTER NINETEEN – REUNITING IN LOVE

As the police car containing a raving Lisa peeled away from the curb, Alex pulled Cassie into a protective embrace. She melted into his arms, suddenly overwhelmed with everything she had endured from Lisa's relentless torment. Tears spilled down her cheeks as the adrenaline drained from her body. "Shh, it's okay, you're okay now," Alex murmured soothingly, rubbing her back. "I'm here." Cassie drew back slightly to look up at him. His warm brown eyes shone with concern and...something more she couldn't quite identify. "Alex, I'm so sorry," she said in a trembling voice. "For shutting you out, for not letting you in. I was just...so afraid." He cupped her battered face tenderly. "Hey, you have nothing to apologize for. I should never have pushed you before you were ready to open up about your past. I only wish I could take away whatever pain you've had to endure." A lump formed in Cassie's throat at his tender words. Never in her darkest days did she imagine someone could look at he