He washed me thoroughly in the shower. I tried to do it myself, but he removed the soap from my hands and cleaned every inch of my skin.

"You're punishing me." Sadness tinged my voice.

Momentarily, his soapy hands stopped moving. "No, I'm giving you what you asked for."

"Then you're punishing yourself."

His gaze darkened. "But will it be enough, Rebecca? Can you forgive me? Will you love me again?"

I pulled him into my arms. I could see the pain in ...