Chapter 118

• "It is the only way, Aleen. I am so sorry but it is the only way. I have to make sure you are safe and removed from this mess as much as possible. Christine is out to get you, she is raging and I can't blame her, we didn't end up how she hoped we would. I was cruel to her. I was selfish with you. It is all my fault and I need to remedy it before it is too late. Please, give me the grace to do that, Aleen." Stephane tries to walk to me, but I take a step back away from him, apprehensive and not knowing exactly why. I feel so many emotions and I can't name them. Can't follow their logic, or lack thereof.
• "But you said you loved me. Does that not mean anything? Does it not count for anything?" I whisper, my voice shaking as I do my best to swallow my tears. I can't keep crying and reinforcing his view of me as an helpless child.
• "It means everything, Aleen. It means everything. That is why I have to do this." Stephane says, his brows knit together, like he is in physical pain. It is nothing compared to how I feel inside. I am coming apart over and over again.