Claire's POV
Evander left the room, leaving behind lingering warmth from that unexpected kiss on my forehead. I sat there, still in shock as his words echoed in my mind. He wants me to give him a chance. None of it made sense. If he really loved me, he should have told me long ago. But then again, I hadn't exactly spoken up either.
"No, no!" I muttered, giving my cheek a light slap. "Claire, don't let him get in your head. He is not the man you can be happy with." I told myself, trying to shake off the doubts creeping in. I knew better than anyone that a life with Evander would be anything but easy. Even if he loved me… what good would it do?
His family would always be there in shadows. His mother, who forced this marriage on us, despised me from the start. And yet… If he really loved me, why was he so against this marriage back then?
