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I closed ainst the pain I couldn’t think about it just yet I still had a part to play

“Very well, Abigail,” I said, finally looking at her “If that’s what you want”

“Yes,” she said “If you’re going to pretend last night was nothing but a damn scene, this is what I want”

She knew She kneas pretending Maybe that would make it easier for her to handle later

I nodded “I know many doive you some names”

The previous night, I had run through various names in my head I knew she would need a dom sooner or later, but I hadn’t been able to decide on anyone good enough for her I hoped she didn’t call ive

“Or I could give them yours,” I added

I intended ave me—so hurt, so sad She didn’t understand Did she not kno much it pained ine, even for awith someone else?

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she spat out

I sat there, silent, not

“I’ll go get s” She turned and left

When I heard her footsteps on the stairs, I droppedit She was leaving ht of her be the pained look on her face as my words cut her open?

Apollo got up from his place by my feet and cocked his head at me

“Go,” I whispered “Go to her” He remained by my side

Minutes later, she walked down the stairs Apollo heard and scrambled out to meet her

“Oh, Apollo,” she said froood boy”

I dropped htmare

“I’ “I can’t stay here anyood andpromise me you’ll take care of Nathaniel, okay?”

A sob ripped frohts were of me The front door opened and closed

I pulled together all the strength I could and rose to my feet I had one last task as Abby’s dom—to see her safely home

Hours later, having driven behind her all the way to the city without her knowing, I walked back into my empty house

It was done She was gone

I walked into the foyer,in the stillness Even when Abby left on Sundays, the house never felt so desolate

It was because she’d never be back The house would always feel empty now

I couldn’t bear the eo away

Apollo looked behind lance as I walked straight to the library

Various bottles sat on the bar I went straight for them, didn’t even bother to look around at the rest of the library I couldn’t handle looking just yet The brandy was forty percent alcohol; it shouldn’t take too long to do the trick

The glasses went down easier the more I drank To be honest, I lost count after three If I drank enough, got drunk enough, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so badly Maybe it wouldn’t feel like my heart had been pulled from my chest

Of course, it didn’t help It only made the pain worse

Apollo sat beside me and whined

“S’kay, Apollo,” I lass “It’s better this way Trust me”

The roohtly, so I stumbled over to the leather couch and collapsed More I needed more The brandy didn’t even burn as it went down

I heard the glass fall to the floor and thennothing

The sunlight co moved at the curtains Turned toward me

“Abby?” I choked out

Unparalleled joy coursed through my body

I sat up “Abby!” My voice sounded stronger

She smiled at me

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me I knew you wouldn’t And you came back Oh, Abby I love you so much I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before”

I stood up to take her in

She walked to

I watched her, ht shimmered around her Her dress was beautiful and it floated around her as she walked She racefully, it was as if she walked on air

When she stood before me, I lifted a hand to her cheek Her skin So perfect I stroked it “You forgive me?”

She nodded

I fell to the ground before her “I’m sorry, Abby So sorry” I stroked her feet and kissed the back”

The possibilities of e could be, hoe could be, ran through ether, however orked it out, would be fine The iether In the end, that was all that mattered

I gave one last sob and wipeddown on

I slowly rose to my feet “Abby”

Our lips caether softly She tasted even sweeter than I remembered I moaned and pulled her closer She melted into my embrace, wrapped herself around me

Was it odd that she wasn’t talking? Shouldn’t she be talking? We could talk later, though, right? We had plenty of time to talk

I kissed her deeper, taking her head in ers in her hair Why didn’t she s?

Her fingers danced alongme I pulled back

I took my place on the couch and patted the empty spot beside ”

She shook her head

“Please, Abby”

She took a step back “It’s too late”

“You said you forgave me You came back”

“Too late, Nathaniel”

Another step back

“But I want to tell you,” I pleaded “I need to tell you Wait Don’t leave me”