"Forgive me, I didn't mean to be callous," I replied and felt as much as I heard the gasps of surprise behind me.

Karina seemed equally shocked at my apology. I remembered the language within Leo's diary entries and his referral to women. He never had a kind word unless it involved sex or surrender. Iris remained silent, but her expression mirrored Karina's.

"Is this a good or bad thing? I need to know. If you want me to be an asshole, I will have to rethink my life and living arrangements. I can hire a nurse to visit and take care of me until I recover."

The force of...