Chapter 46

• Amanda observed Ernest's hands covering his face as his shoulders sagged and his head leaned forward. She was appalled that she had treated him that way after seeing his shoulders tremble a few minutes later, as if he were sobbing. She did care about him, and she detested seeing him act so cocky. Why did he need to express his love in such a sentimental way? He didn't love her in that sense because they had a business agreement; how could he? She was just some girl who Ernest Kesler felt he owed a debt to, a debt that had already been paid a thousand times over. Ernest Kesler was that girl.
• She approached him again cautiously and took a position just out of his grasp. "Ernest, my arm hurts and it's late. Please, can you drive me home? "She softly enquired. She could feel the sorrow and uncertainty in his tear-filled eyes as he turned to face her.
• His voice was as broken as his demeanor appeared to be. "Tell me what just happened, I don't understand," he said. "Amanda, please explain it to me. I know you love me; otherwise, you couldn't offer yourself to me in the way that you do."