rc

he hit me to p

hot across my skin, but that was not even the real

His eyes widened, like he had

." he choke

I didn't know if I was crying because of the slap, or because t

y back when I had cramps. Who once cried when I got foo

st hit me to pr

ast, it felt like I couldn't get enou

stepping toward me again.

touch me, Char

ll halfway toward me. He took a ste

e was moved behind him and placed

ou didn't mean to. You're too

t. I looked at the both of them, standing there like they were

. It hurt so

ing to catch my breath, to keep my

hat smug little curl on his lips. I swallowed the lump in my throat. My voice

at is

to women?" My voi

before he could speak, Mark sc

ocked on Charles. His gaze dropp

mediately, he was gay. The guy I was abou

ould you do this to me? Lead me on? If you

he hole in my chest. Like that could explain why the ma

ce hardening. "Don't give me apologie

und out I... liked men, they were furious. They didn't want a gay son. They wanted someone normal. They

ap, Charles

this side of me before. I was always the

going to feel bad for y

h again, but I did

loved you. God, I loved you despite everything. Despite how cold you were sometimes. Despite how distant you felt in the

he truth when we met... I would have understood. I would have helped you. But instead,

s," I said. "You're one too. Don't j

y," he said, star

ith the back of my hand. "

bered the night he gave it to me. The way I cried, the way I kissed him over and over again,

e the metal burned my skin,

voice flat. "I want nothing to do with a s

that, Gracie. I know you're angry, but this... th

ry laugh. "A

d been for him. I was

siness deal. Find someone else willing to sell the

eye, and for the fir

," I whispered. "I regr

lie. I turned and walked away, leaving behind the ring, the wedding, the