AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Did you, uh, love her?”
“Yes, of course, and I still do,” he said, making her feel dejected all at once. “But not the right kind of love.”
“There’s a right kind of love?”
He actually smirked. “So I’m told.”
“And, uh, how do you know if it’s the right kind of love?”
He shook his head. “I suppose it’s all-consuming. Like nothing else matters but that one person. You can’t live or breathe without them. That every waking moment you want to spend it with them.”
“Oh.” The single word gushed out along with a raw emotion that had formed in her chest and wrapped around her heart like a warm bubble of longing at his every word.
“Not that I can vouch for that.” He quipped suddenly, shooting her a grin and unknowingly bursting that bubble. “It all sounds pretty fanciful to me, but if Jay is anything to go by, then that is how it must feel.”
Evelina released a mournful sigh.
“The thing is, Evelina, I don’t believe in fairy tales.” He looked steadfastly in her direction. “That’s not who I am. I’m not the kind of man who can commit. To devote my entire life to a woman or a family. You should know that up front. If you are looking for romance and happily ever after, I’m not your man. If I marry, it will be in name only. I can’t be tied down. I’m not built that way.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression of me but I think it best if I’m honest with you and lay the cards out on the table.”
Evelina thought it ironic that he used that particular gambling reference to explain his intentions with her. “And, uh, what would I get out of this deal?”
“Stability,” he assured her. “I’d set you up in a nice little house not far from your parents. You’d never want for anything. I promise you that.”
“And,” she cleared her throat. “What about children?”
A serious frown came over his face. “I couldn’t consciously bring children into the world only to abandon them.”
“I see.” She hesitated then said, “Sounds like a very lonely life.”
His brows dipped as he watched her closely. “I’m sorry, Evelina.”
“No, don’t be.” She attempted to smile. “I appreciate your honesty.”
He nodded but didn’t reply.
Evelina dropped her chin and stared at her hands folded properly in her lap. It shouldn’t have felt as if her whole world had just collapsed, but it did. Unequivocally.
“What was her name?”
“Who?”
“Your fiancée.”
He sighed. “Erika.”
“Was she beautiful?”
“Yes.” He watched her closely.
She nodded. She hardly expected her not to be. “She’s a very lucky woman.”
“Why’s that?”
“To have someone love her so profoundly.”
