Chapter 41 I Don't Need Your Pity

• I stare at Hollis, his eyes glittering with unshed tears, his vulnerability tugging at my heartstrings. “You don’t have to pity me, Hailey.” His words made my heart ache with the pain he was clearly trying to hide. I reached out and gently touched his hand, but I stooped when I heard him say, “No one wants me for my own sake, not even my wife.” I could see the weight of his words settling heavily on his shoulders, the loneliness in his voice echoing in the empty room. Despite his brave front, I could sense the deep-seated hurt that he carried with him.
• And without even thinking, my mouth slipped open. “I want you.” I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes before a small one, but how could I say something like this without knowing the full extent of his pain and struggles?
• Hollis went silent, his face not leaving mine, staring at me with a mix of confusion and vulnerability. It was clear that my words had struck a chord within him, but I knew that I needed to tread carefully in order to truly understand his emotions.