Not Knowing
Eli swallowed hard, his emotions getting the better of him. He had never known just how deeply Serena’s insecurities had run, never realized how much she had struggled with the idea of being second in his life.
"She never said anything," Eli murmured, more to himself than to Solene. "I thought we were okay. I thought…"
Solene shook her head gently. "She didn’t want to burden you, Eli. She loves you so much that she kept all that pain inside, hoping that one day you’d prove her doubts wrong. But when she heard you say my name… that was the breaking point."
Eli’s chest tightened, guilt washing over him in waves. He hadn’t meant to hurt Serena. She was the one person he had wanted to protect, to make feel safe. And now, because of his past, he had broken her heart.
"I can’t l
