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More tears flood my eyes until they can’t be contained Drops fall on my cheeks, and I have to turn away “I do I love you more than I’ve ever loved any man”

“Okay, then” He’s behindhome”

“No, you’re not” I step forward, out of his grasp “I’ll deal with my broken heart the way you’ll deal with yours”

“Dammit, Melissa” His words are sharp even if his voice is low, and I appreciate hi to upset Dex any more “How can you say that?”

“I made a vohen I left Sloan’s ain”

“If you coain—”

Looking back over my shoulder, I meet his eyes now “You’re not an abusive asshole who frequents prostitutes, that’s correct Otherwise, you treat me the same as he did”

His jawuniverse is that true, and you know it”

“I’m not your equal You hold me apart from your life—”

“You’re so far in in and where I end It’s e can’t be separated”

From somewhere deep in my heart comes a question I’m not sure I want to ask Yet out it spills “Did you keep secrets from Allison?”

“Of course not, but—” His answer is so fast, so automatic, it crushes me

“I need you to give o”

His fists clench, and for a rows louder as he speaks “Stop this goddamn stubbornness, Melissa I hear you now I understand what you need, and I’ive it to you”

Dex’s whi of ue with himy final words “I can’t do this anymore”