“I can’t,” he gasped the words. “You can, though.” I grabbed his arms and gazed up at him. “And if not, I refuse to let this be my life. I will not have half of you. Stolen kisses behind closed doors are not enough. I will not stay here under her rule. I will leave when I get the chance, despite the risk of her killing me if I am caught, but I refuse to be a ghost here, unfulfilled and lonely.” His eyes dilated at my words, his chest heaving. My fingers dug into his arms. “Fight, Vincent. Fight for something you want for once. Otherwise, let her kill you. Because this? This is not living. Not
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