2. She flew halfway around the world; the least I could do was listen to her explanation.
3. Maybe it will give me some much needed closure.
4. Maybe I can get the answers I need to move on and also figure out where we stand with respect to the large chunk of money exchanged between us.
5. Once we're out in the hall, kir stands before me, looking directly into my eyes.
Memuatkan…Memuatkan…
1. "So, that's your mom, huh?"
2. "Yeah."
3. "She looks good, healthy, I mean."
4. "Yeah, the treatment worked so far."
5. "She goes in"
Memuatkan…Memuatkan…
1. "For another round in two weeks, but with everything that's happened, it seemed like a good time to get away for both of us."
2. "She and I have never done anything like this, but it was part of my plan to start actually living."
3. "I see."
4. We're silent for several seconds...
5. And kir's hand twitches like she wants to touch me, but she doesn't.
6. Thank god.
1. "And would your running away to another country have anything to do with...mina?"
2. I flinch involuntarily.
3. I hate that she's just said her name.
4. It immediately conjures images of that day in the pool, when my whole little world shattered.
5. "Will you tell me the story?"
6. "Anything you want to know."
7. "Are you getting"
1. "Getting divorced?"
2. "That's up for debate."
3. "Then I'm leaving."
4. I turn for the door, but she grabs my hand.
1. "No. Stay. Please hear me out."
2. Her hand on my skin sends a flash of heat through me at the memory of what those hands can do.
3. She's still the only woman who's made me come.
4. I shudder as though the memory singes some part of me.
1. I draw a deep, calming breath.
2. "Do you love her?"
3. "No."
4. Her voice is sure, steady.
5. "I never loved her like I should have."
6. My shoulders relax just slightly.
7. Even if my body wants to run, and my head is screaming at me to flee...
8. ....my heart has grown attached to this woman.
9. And for better or worse, part of me needs to hear her out...
1. ...to understand this messy situation I've found myself in.
2. Maybe if I can make sense of it, then I can move on.
3. "Please let me explain..."
4. "...that's all I'm asking."
5. I've never seen her look so devastated and broken.
6. Even though I've agreed to hear her out, a wave of nausea washes through me.
1. Am I prepared to handle whatever she's about to tell me?
2. I fasten one hand against the wall for support.
3. I just need a minute...
4. She releases a heavy exhale and I swear what looks like regret washes over her features.
5. "I will give you all the time you need, sweetness."
6. She whispers.
7. The nickname against her lips presses like a weight onto my chest.
8. My heart feels heavy, thudding dully against my ribcage.