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Chase straightened froreen eyes "Don't lecture hts, Tessa"

"I wasn't" She licked her dry lips and his eyes flared "How have you been?"

"Rotten" His expression was bland, uncaring, and Tessa felt her throat tighten

He covered up his son and turned away

"Chase, wait"

He faced her, sparing her a painfully lance "Yes?"

God, he felt miles away from her now "We need to talk"

Slowly he shook his head He couldn't do it, not now If he did, he would spill his guts and tell her howand that she was to bla her mother's past at his expense, at the expense of their love That he loved her and missed her and hated her, all in the same breath

"The only thing I want to hear you say is that you rong"

"We've gone beyond that now"

"We haven't gone anywhere but backward, Tessa"

Her eyes narrowed

"I was a fool to believe you could love me," he said, and his voice wavered