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“No, I’ alcoholic I have a sickness that I deal with in a manner that allows me to appear normal, but in the privacy of my own home, the darkness leaks out” He took her hand “I don’t want you to have to deal with this”

“Let that be my decision”

“No, because you don’t kno not to take the problems of those you care onto your own shoulders This burden is too heavy, Aibhlinn And mostly, I don’t want to hurt you When I have those flashbacks, I’s” He shook his head “I’d cut my hand off before I let that happen, a chroí”

The sound of her native land on his tongue ripped at the bleeding wound in her heart “So get help”

“And you’ll what? Wait for h to last a lifetime You deserve to be happy, and if it’s not with me, I have to accept that You have to accept that”

She shook her head

He placed a finger on her lips “Yes, a chroí Didn’t you tell ood of the other person?”

“Oh, you asshole, using ainst me”

He smiled “I love you, but we both know there are tih”

Her drearound She couldn’t push hiree to this, do you proet some kind of help?”

“Aibhlinn”

“If not for yourself, for azed up at him

“Only if you promise not to wait around”

She choked on her sob “I won’t”

“Maybe a tiood idea,” he said softly