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Another long silence followed , it

"What did you say?"

The shock in his voice told me that he didn't know that.....well until now.

"I thought as much " I repeated

We discussed for a while, which was the longest we've ever done in years, it couldn't have been more than ten minutes though because I was impatient to return to return back to her...

There was a job, but that would have to wait for now..I ended the call and made my way back to the living room, only that she wasn't there..Neither was Hazel

I found her in the bedroom, she stood facing the window, her back faced to me, as if sensing my presence she turned around to face me...

One glance at her told me something was terribly wrong.

Her eyes were red and swollen, like she'd been crying ....maybe for the past ten minutes.

"Gracie ?"I couldn't control the way my body tensed in alarm as I scanned my gaze around for what could be the cause..

Another glance at her expression I found the quick answer to my question.

It was me.

She was in this state because of me.

I walked in hasty steps to complete the distance between us.

"What happened?" I spoke softly this time.

Her gaze looked distant even though she was staring at me.

"It's nothing , it doesn't matter what i want anyway does it?" as she spoke, a low bitter laugh escaped her mouth

My heart clenched tightly at the bitterness and sadness in her tone .

"Tell me.....please"

She tilted her gaze to look at me then as if observing me for the very first time.

"I don't want to Hayden, don't do it please " there was a strong plea in her voice even though it sounded firm.

I stared at her confused for a moment , I searched her gaze wondering to what she was referring to.

I was slightly taken aback when she made a tight sudden grip on my arm.

"Please don't force me..I really don't want to...if what you meant earlier is to marry you I really don't want to "

"Gracie...."

She closed her eyes briefly before silvery glassy stare found mine again.

"let me speak, after I say these words you might really hurt me..for real, allow me to say them while I still have the courage "

Hurt washed over me like a bucket of ice ....the full conviction written on her face...that I was really going to hurt her.

"I'm merely human Hayden, if you continue to treat me like this I'll be hurt..Then I'll cry..because I'm not strong enough to fight you." she paused briefly to inhale deeply before her gaze found mine once again.

"You don't love me....that's okay, I don't ask for your love, I'm not sure I'll be able to bear the burden of it, but you also don't care about me..."