GoodRead"Please, can you just give me a break?" she pleaded.
She had never witnessed Everett in such an assertive and unyielding demeanor. That scared Dorothy a bit.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFinally, sensing the tremor in her voice, Everett's resolve softened. Clenching his jaw, he pulled her into his arms after a moment of hesitation.
Both drenched in sweat, they lay in the darkness of the unlit night. They panted heavily as their heartbeats were syncing up in an unspoken understanding.
Neither Dorothy nor Everett spoke again. But the answer they were both seeking had already silently revealed itself.
After holding her for a while, Dorothy ventured softly, "Do you... want me to draw you a bath?" "What's really got you trapped, Dorothy?" He couldn't fathom it, nor could he imagine what his parents could possibly hold over her head.
But she remained silent.
"I promise I'll keep Abigail and Langston safe. There won't be any slip-ups. And from now on, my folks won't get a chance to corner you alone again. Okay?" Dorothy steadied herself and mustered a smile, "It's not about any of that! | trust you to protect our children, and as for your parents... | hardly ever see them." "Are they using Kenneth's safety to threaten you? Or is it Karen?" Everett was stubborn. He was determined to guess the reason.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe had spent the day alone in the hospital room, turning over every possibility in his mind. He concluded that, if Dorothy would just let him, he could take care of all her troubles and concerns. He'd even go as far as hiring protection for Kenneth, his rival, if that's what it took! "No, your parents didn’t threaten me." "And sending the kids to the Lopez family was your own choice?" Dorothy pursed her lips, then gave a small nod, "Yes. Though it was your father's suggestion, the decision was mine after careful consideration. They truly have a better life with the Lopezes." "And what about me?" Dorothy was muted on hearing that.
"Dorothy, did you ever think about me?" She had been dodging and avoiding any talk of the future, in which case she was clearly looking for an out! Everett wasn't a fool; he could see right through it.
But he could also see that Dorothy was genuinely happy with him, that she didn't resent their time together. So why... why couldn't she agree to remarry him? "Of course I've thought about you!" Dorothy tried to keep her tone light, not wanting to get stuck on the topic, "Like right now, | think you really should take a shower, or your need for cleanliness is going to kick in." "Dorothy!" "Alright." Dorothy reached out to take his hand, her voice soothing, "Give me some time, okay? One month, I'll give you an answer in one month. You've got to stay here to recuperate for at least that long anyway. | promise you'll have your answer before you're discharged.” Everett frowned.
"You need to let me think it through, right? We've been apart for so many years. You haven't changed, but | have. I've been through a lot, and | don't think | should rush into marriage again." Dorothy smiled, "Plus, you'll have some time to slow down and really consider whether you're just obsessing over me or if it's genuine love." Everett suddenly let out a laugh. She could detect a hint of disappointment in it.
"You think this is just an obsession?" "Well, it's possible, right? Maybe you just feel like you missed out on your youthful crush on me, and now that you're all grown up, you're fixated on getting what you never had."
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