Despite the vicious beating she received at the hands of her former partner, the 27-year-old star insists Chris is simply misunderstood.
Speaking to Vanity Fair for their November issue, the Barbados-native reflects on the time she spent with the father-of-one and reveals that there existed a dynamic which the public were unaware of.
"I was very protective of him," she said of the controversial rapper and father-of-one during the candid interview with the world-famous publication.
Rihanna, who chose to rekindle her relationship with the 26-year-old rapper after the Grammy night assault, insists that she stands by her decision, saying: "I felt that people didn't understand him. Even after."
Despite the fact Rihanna walked away from the relationship for a second time in recent years, the We Found Love singer maintains that her feelings for Chris haven't lessened, explaining "I don't hate him. I will care about him until the day I die."
Reflecting on her decision to stand by the With You singer in spite of public condemnation, Rihanna suggested she played a pivotal role in his life, saying: "Maybe I'm the person who's almost the guardian angel to this person."
"To be there when they're not strong enough, when they're not understanding the world, when they just need someone to encourage them in a positive way and say the right thing," she explains in the interview which explores the star's public and personal life in great detail.
Despite being linked to a series of world-famous stars, Rihanna insists Chris, who is father to baby daughter Royal, was her 'last real boyfriend'.
