His eyes filled.
“The beginning was fake.”
Sophie flinched almost invisibly.
Jake continued.
“But then it changed.”
“No.”
“It did.”
“No, Jake.”
“I fell in love with you.”
“You researched my favorite books before we met.”
His face changed.
“How do you—”
“Laura told us.”
Jake closed his eyes.
Sophie continued.
“You knew my coffee order before our first date. You knew where I volunteered. You knew Dad gave me the condo. You knew I hadn't spoken to him.”
“I had to.”
“You had a choice every day.”
“I was afraid of my mother.”
“So was I.”
That silenced him.
Sophie leaned closer to the glass.
“But I still said no.”
Jake cried then.
Actual tears.
“I can help you.”
“You already have.”
“How?”
“You taught me something.”
“What?”
She looked at the man she had loved enough to marry.
“A person who says they love you but requires your fear is not offering love. They're offering ownership.”
