Chapter 100

Forgiveness Over Pain

Charlotte’s eyes softened just at his words, but she quickly masked it, her defenses coming up once more. “You didn’t know how? You think that excuses everything?”

Astor shook his head. “No, it doesn’t. But I thought if I pushed you away, if I kept you at arm’s length, I could protect both of us. I thought you would hate me less if I rejected you, if I let you go. But I was wrong. I was a coward.”

The words hung in the air, and Charlotte remained silent, her eyes searching his face, trying to understand.

There was a vulnerability in his expression that...