of us moved. Then I tu

voice cracked a

it and kep

ai

ending I hadn't heard him. I knew if I stopped, I would have to look

les

eath rose through my chest be

om me as though he was afraid that coming any clos

at him. "

yeste

essly along Momo's lea

d

hy

tightened. "Bec

part was that he was ri

sn't make

d not

the silence that had settled over the two of us. I watched

know," I s

ould

a moment, I simply stared

u w

d harder than t

Then how could

d he looked away for a

ere, blinking rapidly and willing them back. I had already cried enough bec

are you ap

s voice was quieter this

little laugh. "Bu

ll si

at him again. "Yo

este

y attempt to keep it steady. "You feel guilty because you hurt som

dn't

ewhere in my throat. "Why apologiz

ifted in his

I supposed to

fr

ward me. "If I hurt you,

I could only stare at him. Then my gaze dropped to Momo

voice was barely above a

inked.

ke boy

este

d you to be

ugh he couldn't decide

self to mee

e he could speak. "I k

in his fac

s isn't rea

s not

n the last word, and I hated myself fo

never has. To her, I'm not a daughter who gets to choose her own life. I'm an Ashwor

hed me s

isn't going to solve

oser. "I don't need yo

ned. "I just nee

ly. "You're asking me

mission hurt mor

y hands. "I hate m

the material pressed painfully into my skin. "But y

expression I couldn't quite read. I knew what he saw. A woman standing in fron

yfriend wouldn't fi

cond, I wished I could disappear. I l

am wen

ed to be thinking about something, his eyes no longer focused entir

nd won't get you out o

ange, uncertain bea

gaze. "The

honestly thought I had

left mine. "Let