woman would be tragic no matter how it occurred。
〃It wasn't your fault；〃 she reasoned。
His eyes flashed。 〃I was driving！ If only I'd driven slower or faster；
or taken a different route。〃 He hung his head。 When he raised it again；
his anger was spent。 〃Remember the nightmare you had？ Mine was no dream。
I was able to pull Bey out of the car； only to watch her die in my arms。
There was nothing I could do。 A battered arm was the least of my
punishment。 The plane crash seemed an extension of it。 Then〃…he pressed
his lips together and nodded…〃then I found you。〃
Anne swallowed hard。 He wandered across the room； seeming aimless； as
though it didn't matter where he went。 She had never seen him like this；
had never heard his voice so bleak or so sad。
〃I had fallen in love with you long before I made the connection between
Jeff's death and my airline。 In an odd way； I felt you were my only
chance at happiness； at building a new life。 I was terrified of losing
you。 I didn't know what would happen when I told you what I knew。 I
wanted to think you'd understand； but the stakes were so high。〃
He turned to face her； earnest now。 〃I never lied to you about the
crash； Anne。 I just didn't tell you the whole truth。 It's tormented me
for months。 But the longer the deception went on； the worse my sin and
the greater the risk of ing clean。 I was afraid that