Chapter 48

As early as 6 a.m., Ruth was up, with the wrestle and defeat of thoughts in her mind. Whitney had told her to act like it never happened if he also acted that way.

“It was a night you both enjoyed and had fun. That’s all—nothing more, nothing less,” her words. She told her it would be easier that way and less awkward.

It always seems easier to those who are not in the situation. She cursed herself for letting him have so much control that night. For giving in when she could have just resisted. For accepting to go on the trip when she could have just declined. For wearing that dress… Wearing that dress or not, Clayton was sure going to make a move, but all that didn’t occur to her.

Ruth was to be at work at about 8 a.m. She had excuses to stay off work. Catching a flu, sickness, family emergency… that right there wasn’t a really good idea. She was an orphan right from the age of 8. She stayed with her uncle, who was now old and feeble, living in a home for the elder