242 Lila's Story - Part 1

Dane

She swallowed hard and her voice got shaky. "What you're doing, the way you've been living, it's spiritual suicide. The gains aren't there. You're killing yourself for things that aren't as valuable as you. Can't you see that? See that you're worth more than that?"

"No. I'm not."

Her fingers curled in, fisted his shirt and her voice got harder. "Yes, you are."

He searched her gaze and she stared at him, steely-eyed, demanding that he see what she was saying. "Lila…" he breathed, "Where is this coming from? Why do you look angry at me for giving up for you?"

"Because, you were hurting yourself. You were hurting the man I love—and you didn't even give me a choice. You didn't ask me whether I wanted you to do that. I didn't, Dane! I didn't want you to give that up for me. For us. Or for anyone else! I want you whole, and happy and… okay. And instead, you're here and you're… broken. And that breaks me. Don't you get it?"