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“It was like the past all over again,” she revealed brokenly.
“I’m sorry.”
“You made me think you were after me—-”
Marcus’ lips tightened. He wanted to tell her it was so, that he had been after her from the start, but he didn’t let himself. It was better this way. He had to let her go so she could find herself a better man.
When he only stared at her stoically, Anneke knew she had to try harder. “Were you really ever after me?”
Nothing.
“Did you mean anything you said to me?”
Nothing.
“Were you simply lying when you made feel I was beautiful and good—-”
This time, Marcus could no longer help it, and he said harshly, “You are that. You’re all of that and more, that’s why—-”
When he stopped, she took the risk, finishing his words for him. “That’s why what, Marcus? That’s why youloveme?”
His lips didn’t move, but the look in his eyes was everything.
And it was enough.
Oh dear God, it was more than enough, since that look in his eyes promised hereverything.
“If I h-hadn’t come here,” she choked out, “you’d never have come after me, w-would you?”
“No.” His tone was dull. “I wouldn’t have. I’m afraid that’s the kind of man I am—-”
“I know.”
Her words lashed at him, and he thought numbly,And so she did.Anneke believed he had been using her from the start, and he had to let her go on thinking that, for her sake.
“I know exactly the kind of man you are, my love—-”
His head jerked up.
“And it’s why I’ll never stop loving you.” Their eyes met, and a smile wobbled over her lips as she said, “It’s why I’d never be so foolish to let go of a man who thinks I’m perfect. A man who thinks I’m a paragon, someone who walks on water—-” When he still kept staring at her, not saying a word, she asked pleadingly, “Can’t you please say something?”
Marcus shook his head.
Tears pricked her eyes. “Please, Marcus.” And still, he remained immobile, and the tears began to fall. She knew – oh, she knew - he wasn’t letting himself move because he believed he didn’t deserve to come any nearer.
She stretched her arm towards him. “P-please, Marcus. Come here, please—-”
“I can’t.” The raggedly spoken words were torn out of his throat. “I’ve hurt you so many times—-”
“Yes,” she affirmed wildly. “Yes, you did but it wasn’t like the way your father hurt your mother. It wasn’t like the way your father broke his word to your mother, when he swore to love her and keep her safe. You aren’t like him and never will be, Marcus. Because youloveme. You love me more than your happiness, your life, and I—-” She swallowed hard. “I love you just as much, so please—-” She offered her hand to him again. “Please, Marcus—-”
And he still didn’t move.
“Please don’t make me beg—-”
And that was what finally made him move, realizing that he had forced her to beg, when all he had wanted was for Anneke to have everything she desired in this world.
Marcus reached her in an instant, his arms locking around her like chains. She wrapped her arms around him just as tightly, and his entire body shuddered at the feel of her body against his.
