Roger took a deep breath, letting it out in a rush as he turned back toward me. “You swear to not let her eat any fish?” He extended a hand, and I winced. “I can’t shake your hand on that, Roger.” His blank stare transformed into a mask of indignation. “And why is that?” he asked, his words clipped and halting. “Because it’d be treating Maria as property to be bargained upon. I give you my word that I won’t force her to do, well, anything. I won’t force her to not do anything either, though. She’s her own person, and she has complete autonomy over her choices—even if her choice is to catch and
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