Husband by Choice

And if she succeeded with Steve?

Then, if she was meant to be with Max, he’d be available.

“Jenna?”

She looked up at Lila.

“Yes?”

“I didn’t talk to anyone. About you or Max. And I won’t. But I want you to talk to me. Please.”

She understood the position Lila was in. She had regulations she had to follow.

But Jenna didn’t have anything to say.

“Did Max hit you?”

“No!”

“So you really aren’t running from him.”

“No.”

“Then why not speak to him? It’s obvious the man’s worried sick about you. He’s got two different police forces working on a missing person who isn’t missing.”

“Max won’t listen.” That much was true.

“But you are on the run.”

No. Not anymore. But... “Yes.”

“From an abuser.”

“Yes.”

“Were you married to him?”

“Yes.”

“He gave you those scars?”

Jenna pulled her wrap around her shoulders and tucked her towel around her legs.

“Yes.”

Lila nodded. “You’re safe here.”

“I know.”

“Does Max know about him?”

“Yes.”

“And he thinks he can take him on,” Lila guessed. “You know better.”

Okay. It was sort of true. Max thought that the law could take on Steve. He believed that she could live free and happy. She shrugged. And knew that Lila took the action as an affirmative response to her question.

“And you’re sure you don’t need legal assistance?”