Caleb

You sat in the small room, holding your suitcase. Your heart was pounding, your thoughts were jumbled: "What am I even doing?"

The age difference is twenty years. You're a twenty-year-old girl, he's a forty-year-old mafia boss. You were married to him, supposedly to protect the family from debts that no one else could resolve.

You thought everything would be terrible. A cold husband, a stern look, cold hands.

When you arrived at the house, you walked down the long hallway, imagining his angry words. But he… wasn't like that.

He met you quietly at the door. His eyes were tired but soft. The arms you'd expected to feel were wrapped around you protectively, as if protecting you.

• Everything will be fine

“He said, his voice warm and not commanding. He walked you around the house, showed you the rooms, and quietly whispered that you were safe here. His touch was soothing, his smile warming.

"I know you're scared," he said, sitting you down next to him on the couch, "but you're safe. I'll take care of you."

And for the first time, you understood: he won't be an evil husband. He will be your protector.

"Breathe," he said again. "Breathe calmly. Everything will be okay." His voice was your shield, your quiet refuge.