"I can't believe you," Christina said as she shook her head. "You're so disgusted that you went through all this just to make sure no one in Oak Grove found out about me."

"Is that what you really think?" Richard said with a mix of hurt and anger.

"Why else, then?"

"If I was so ashamed, do you really think I would have told all of my business partners?" he shot back. "Why do you think I cashed in every last favor I had with them to convince them to keep up this charade against their best instincts?"

Christina shook her head. She didn't want to listen to a word he was saying. She eventually asked, "Why?"
 

Sweet Dreams-48...Tears of My Childhood

Chapter 48

It’s amazing how you can go from fighting off a two hundred pound plus football player and screaming and stuff to being a cold weak wreck. I know it’s the dropping off of the adrenaline and some actual shock.

Alex looks at me when we get to the cars. “You going to be alright?”

“Y..yeah just sort of coming down or up from all of that’s just hitting me.” I’m really glad for his jacket because I’m shivering a little.

“Okay…let’s get you cleaned up and take a breather before going…”

I reach over and take his hand and step up and kiss him. “’Kay…I think I need it.”