“I can figure it out with you. You don’t need to leave me to do that.” YuZhi’s voice hitched, a slight hint of desperation as panic rose in him at the thought of her going somewhere far without him, and he had to regulate his raspy breathing to remain calm. A sense of rising dread swirling form inside.

“Can you really ever touch me again? Knowing what he’s done to me? Can you promise its not what you’ll think of when you come near me or try to touch me?” TangShi turned to him, her face flushed as a single fresh tear rolled down her cheek. A slight tremor in...