“Ok,” she repeated, swallowing down the ache the phrase made her feel. “Good. We apprehend each different now. So, you go your way, and I’ll continue to be here.”
‘It’s good,’ Bell thinking to herself, ‘it’s higher that he is so accepting of this. It’s easier. It’s fine.’
“I understand that there is some cause that you feel you need to do this,” Duke said, lifting his eyes to meet hers.
“Duke –“ she tried to deny it.
“No,” he interrupted her softly. He looked away, grabbed her hand, and kissed it gently. Then, placing it back down on her lap and protecting his hand over hers as he spoke again. “I also recognize that doing this is hurting you, and battle you on it, will solely make it worse.”
Bell felt the warmness of her tears as they threatened to spill over. She bit her lip harder.
