slaps my arm away. “Don’t call me that. Don’t touch me. Just leave me alone.” “You don’t hate me.” “Yes, I do!” Cora’s pitch rises as new tears break through, then she shoves me backwards. “I hate you. I always have.” “No.” “I hate you!” She shoves me again, her palms planting against my chest, causing me to stumble. “I hate you… I ha—” “No.” I grab her wrists and walk her back towards the far wall until she’s pressed up against it, shaking and crying. I cradle her wet cheeks between my palms and plant a kiss on her mouth, tender and soft. “You love me. You fucking love me, Cora.”
