Chapter 108

• “You’re young,” he says, and his voice is so calm. “You’re beautiful, Violet. Kind and charming and gracious. You’ll meet someone your own age, someone exciting, someone who’ll knock you off your feet.” His pause seems to take forever. “I’ll still be here. Still be taking care of you, for as long as you need it, and even when you don’t.”
• I have to summon up the courage to speak, forcing my crackled words out through my dry throat. “You excite me. You knock me off my feet. I can’t even breathe sometimes… because I want… I want…”
• “Violet…” he begins, but I shake my head.