Page 36 (1/2)

"So, basically the only reason you’re with me is so you can take over lare "Don’t pretend you’re in this, Avery Because we both know there’s no real connection between us"

"Then why do we do it? Why are asting what is such a short life together?"

"If you’re thinking of leaving," he snarls, "don’t You’ve got no life outside ofyou are in his hands and if you walk from me, he’ll crush it"

It hurts me that I’m in this over a threat It hurtsBut what hurts the most is the reality that I’ll never be loved I’ll never feel that soul-crushing, heart-stopping ee my life Instead, I’ll fall for a man I can never have and marry one I don’t want

That’s not a life

"What is our life to be like in ten years?" I whisper, my voice too shaky to show itself

"The saht answer

He could have said better, or even we’ll try But the samethe same? That crushes any hope I have left in my heart I stare down at my hands and hear the waiter come to our table He places another bottle of the best wine into the ice bucket beside the table, then he places our meals down I can’t eat that--that fancyof this It’s not fair I don’t want to live forever with a ive it

I get to ?" Jacob asks, staring up at h our conversation didn’t even spark any kind of feeling froh bitterly "Are you joking?"

He stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind "Ah, no?"

"Jesus, Jacob Doesn’t it bother you that you’re going to marry a woman you don’t even love? That you’ll spend your life without ever feeling love?"

He shakes his head "I don’t need love, and as for any sort of affectionate feelings, that’s what I’ll take lovers for"

My asp

"Don’t look like it actually shocks you, Avery You don’t care if I fuck other women"