[Lily's POV]David closed his eyes. The guilt was radiating off him in waves, it was almost visible, almost tactile. The kind of guilt that a skilled operator could use as a lever."You're right," he said. "I haven't been fair to you. I should have explained. I should have been honest about what was happening instead of shutting you out.""Then, why didn't you?""Because I didn't know how." He opened his eyes, and they were wet again. Not exactly crying, not quite, but close. The surfaces of his irises were liquid with the effort of containing everything he was feeling."I didn't know how to tell you that the woman I was married to is dying and I can't save her. I didn't know how to explain that being with her doesn't mean I don't love you. It means I can't abandon someone who is dying, even if she’s no longer my wife, even if…"He stopped. Ran a hand over his face.I watched him. Waited. I let the silence do its work."I love you," David said. "I'm marrying you. That hasn't changed."
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