Chapter 4

He stared at the agreement for a long time, then slowly squatted down and broke into tears.

I stood watching him cry, feeling nothing but calm inside.

"Sign it," I said. "Once you sign, you'll be free."

He looked up, eyes swollen and red: "Do you really hate me this much, Victoria?"

"I don't hate you." I shook my head. "Hate is too exhausting. I just... don't love you anymore."

He picked up the pen and hovered over the signature line for a long time, unable to put it down.

I reminded him again: "Hurry up and sign while I…