The Man’s Circumstances

The only thing his brain registered was how terribly thin she was.

He could count the ridges of her ribs.

His brow furrowed deeply.

He couldn’t move any further.

His hands stilled.

And she was shivering.

Violently.

Her teeth clattered so hard he could hear them.

That sound brought him back to his senses, like a splash of cold water to the face.

“Ah... Fuck. Goddammit. Fuck this!”

Exhaling sharply, he quickly pulled her top back down and wrapped her in his cloak.

He had nearly stripped and touched a woman who was trembling from the cold—one so painfully thin.

And worse, she hadn’t even tried to stop him.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, guilt surging through him.

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I must have lost my mind.”

“Mm....”

The ever-docile woman gave him a faint smile, gently shaking her head.

It was as if she were telling him, ‘It’s okay.’

“...!”