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"I pray for you, Eleanor"

"I know you do It won’t be answered Not with a yes anyway"

Nora knew her le day, prayed the sahter from that man

But Nora never wanted to be saved

"For the record," Nora said, breaking the aard silence, "I’m only here because he wanted et over our probleetting over his problems?"

"He doesn’t have any problems Except that he’s up for bishop, a position he doesn’t want"

"I’d hardly worry about that God would never allow such a ood about doms and countries"

"You lost your mind and your faith when you went to his bed"

"Neither actually," Nora retorted "Just inity, and I sure as hell don’t miss it"

"Ellie--"

"This is ridiculous He’s the one who’s lost histo work this out I love hiood et e are, but I don’t care It’s not your private life, it’s mine"

"I’ve accepted that, obviously Otherwise I would have called the bishop on hio"

Nora clenched her jaw to keep quiet The reason herto do hat she did or didn’t believe The day her mother discovered the truth about her and Søren, Nora had threatened that if herto harm Søren in any way, Nora would leave forever and her h only God knehy When they did see each other, they always fought…just like this

"Ellie…" Her mother stopped in her tracks and turned around Nora avoided eye contact at first She hated seeing her mother like this, swathed in a wool habit, her hair covered with a wimple, her entire body hidden in a sea of fabric

"What, Mother?"

"Can you just try to love someone or even let someone love you who doesn’t want to hurt you? Is that too much to ask?"

Nora bit her bottom lip and didn’t answer The question hit far too close to home for her

"Nora? Will you answer me if I call you Nora?" her mother asked in a voice soft with concern At the utterance of the naiven her, Nora blinked and two tears fell froround