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At the same time, I couldn’t let him fail.
“I’ll find you a place to stay,” I said. “Somewhere nearby, but out of Pario City, where you won’t be easily recognized.”
Elijah’s hand moved to brush over my cheek, his eyes intently on my face, and it took every fiber of my being to step away. All I wanted was to let him hold me and touch me, but I had to be strong.
His expression instantly altered to show anguish, hand falling to his side, but I pretended not to notice as I rushed on with my idea.
“Maybe in Sirrio or Palay. They’re close enough that I can still come to you, but far enough away.”
Biting on his lower lip, he moved toward me again, this time much more cautiously.
“You’re afraid of me?”
I tried to snort, but the sound came out more like a sigh.
“No, Elijah, I’m not afraid of you,” I told him honestly.
“You’re angry.”
Bingo.
I bit on my lower lip, but when he grabbed for my hands this time, I didn’t pull away. I did, however, keep my eyes averted, determined not to fall for his charms again. I couldn’t let this happen.
“I never should have rejected you before,” he went on, and I abruptly moved to pull my hands back, but he held fast to me, refusing to let me go.
“No, Abby, let me finish. Let me say it.”
I bit on my lip so hard, my tooth almost went through the skin. “It doesn’t matter—”
“It matters,” Elijah interjected. “It does matter. Can’t you see that now? All of this that’s happened, it’s… karmic somehow.”
I scoffed, but Elijah squeezed me tighter.
“I’m serious, Abby. I realize how wrong it was to let you go. This all has made me see that I’ve made some terrible decisions, beginning with rejecting you. If I hadn’t, maybe none of this would have happened.”
Warily, I eyed him, my guard lowering but still in place, lips pursed tightly.
“There’s so much to atone for; I get it,” he went on, drawing me closer. “But I want to do that, to show you that you belong with me. You were the only sure thing, the only thing that triggered my memory. That overrode whatever was weighing on my head, the connection, the attraction between us. It’s unshakeable, Abby. You can’t deny it, no matter how mad you are at me.”
“I am mad,” I muttered begrudgingly, but he was not telling me anything that I didn’t already know for myself.
“I love you, Abigail Morrow. I’m so glad you’re still here. Without you, I’d never really be whole. I can see that clearly now. Please tell me you forgive me.”
I exhaled, realizing that, despite the trouble he’d brought with him, I was relieved he was back, too.
I can’t cave, not this easily. What if he can’t keep his promises?
I couldn’t live through the devastation of losing him again. I’d never truly healed from the first time he left, and if he left again, I would surely break.
But what if what he said was true? What if this really was a second chance?
His lips found mine, and the last of my resolve slipped away, as much as I tried to cling to it, the intensity of his lips melting my hurt with it. When we parted, he stared imploringly at me.
“I love you,” he said again. “I can’t imagine a world without you by my side. Can you try to forgive me?” he pleaded.
I swallowed thickly, unsure but unable to refute my own emotions.
“I love you, too,” I murmured, brushing my mouth against his again. “And I’m glad you’re not dead.”
