He looked away briefly, ashamed of the confession.
“And that’s exactly the problem.”
Her brows drew together.
“I shouldn’t feel that way.”
“Why not?” she whispered.
“Because I have no right.”
His gaze returned to hers.
“You deserve better than someone who reacts like that. Someone who carries the kind of baggage I do.”
“Stop deciding what I deserve!” she burst out.
Tears rolled down her cheeks freely now.
“You keep saying that like my feelings don’t matter!”
His face tightened.
“You deserve a normal life, Lana.”
“And what if I don’t want normal?” she asked desperately.
“You do.”
“No, Martin!” she cried. “You don’t get to choose that for me!”
Her chest heaved with emotion.
“Don’t I have any say in this?” she asked softly, her voice breaking. “Does what I want count for anyt
