once you knew；
you'd despise me。〃 For a long and heartrending moment； he stared at her。
Then he cursed softly。 〃What's； what's the use。 It's happened； and I
deserve it。 I was too blinded by my own need to see to yours。〃 He took a
ragged breath。 〃I just wonder when the punishment will end。〃 Turning on
his heel； he stalked out of the room； leaving Anne alone and in shock。
The slam of the back door jolted her； but even then it was a minute
before she could move。 Bolting up； she ran after him out of the house；
stumbling on the steps； catching herself and running on。 The hammer of
her heart made breathing difficult； but she didn't stop。
He was fast disappearing into the woods。 Frantically she followed；
running on through the low growth until she reached a clearing。 He sat
there with his back to her； brooding among the dandelions。 The sun
glanced off his hair in sparkles； but his hunched form was grim。
〃Mitch？〃
She crept nearer。
〃Mitch； I'm sorry； so sorry。〃 She tried to touch him； but pulled back
when he flinched。 So she hunkered down inches behind him and said； 〃I've
been wrong。 Please forgive me。 It was cruel of me not to listen； not to
even ask questions； but it hurt to know that there was so much I didn't
know； after everything that we'd shared。 Because of what we'd shared； I
should have given you the chance to explain； but I loved