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35
“Jane?”
“Oh, Lizzy... Are you okay?”
Elizabeth sniffled. “No.”
“I'm so sorry. I knew he was going to see you, and I tried to reach you to tell you he was coming. I should have tried sooner.”
“It's okay. It wouldn't have changed anything.”
“Do you need me to come to the Cape? I can be there tonight.”
“No, I'll be fine. I have to pack some things... I have time tomorrow to take care of the outside of the house. Dad is coming over to help me.” Elizabeth paused. “You'd think I would have learned. I seem to have this–this talent for picking the wrong men.”
“Lizzy, it's not you. Will obviously has issues and needs to get them straightened out. I feel badly that you got hurt in the process of him finally recognizing that. It's not fair.”
“It's not me? How is it not me? Jason left me without a second thought, didn't respond when he found out I was pregnant, and now is nothing but a thorn in my side. Will thought all those horrible things about—”
“Whoa, whoa. Hold on. Back up. How is Jason nothing but a thorn in your side? What does that mean?”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Ugh. I didn't want to tell you—”
“Pleasedon't tell me he's been in contact with you. Has he called you? Is he bothering you? I swear, I will kick his ass if he comes anywherenearyou.”
Despite everything, Elizabeth smiled. “You have to promise me you'll behave. Hehasbeen in contact with me, but it's unavoidable. He works at the basin.”
“Oh my God, are you serious? Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“Because I know you, and you would have been on the first flight down to South Carolina. And it's fine. I wasn't happy to see him, and I'm not happy I have to work with him, but I'm handling it. I've had the opportunity to give him my two cents, for what it's worth… I'm there to work, not to relive my past. I think he understands that now.”
“Now? Please don't tell me he wanted to dredge all that stuff up.”
“He tried, but I didn't let it get very far. The only benefit was that it got my mind off Will. Temporarily, anyway.” Elizabeth sighed. “Will wants another chance. He thinks we can start over.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said no.”
“Just...no?”
“I can't do it, Jane. I wouldn't be able to cope if he just left again. I don't think I could survive it. What if we were to face a real crisis? Not one drummed up in his head, but something that really tested our relationship. I don't know if I could rely on him to stay by my side.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“In a roundabout way. He swears he would never leave me again, but...how can I believe him?” Elizabeth sighed. “Do you think I'm making the right decision?”
“I can't answer that. You have to do what's right for you, what's in your heart. I'm behind you one hundred and ten percent, whatever you choose to do. But it's your decision.”
“So…how do I stop loving him? I haven't stopped thinking about him since he left. The look on his face... I know I said what I had to say, but I hurt him. Why can't I just be happy that he got a dose of his own medicine?”
“It's who you are. You’re a gentle soul, and it's not in your nature to deliberately hurt someone or lash out just to cause pain.”
“I wish I could say I was indifferent, but saying those things to him killed me. Telling him no, turning him away... It was the hardest thing I've ever done. He looked so devastated...”
Tears welled again, and Elizabeth bit her lip, trying to hold them in.
“The hurt will stop eventually, Lizzy. It's just…it's going to take time. You can't force it away, but one day, it will be better.”
