ounding a thunderous beat； she
stared at him for an agonized moment before forcing her feet to move。
Her steps were slow at first； then gained speed as the force of habit
took over and she jogged toward safer ground。
With pitiful ease； Ross caught up。 He caught her elbow； using her own
momentum to bring her around。 When she faced him at a full stop； he held
her by both arms。
〃I'm trying to be honest；〃 he said。
〃But it hurts。 Can't you see that？ It hurts！〃 She was consumed by it； a
hurt that was alive and festering。 He had to see it anywhere he looked。
〃The only way the hurt will stop；〃 he chided gently； 〃is for you to put
the past behind you。〃
Her eyes filled with tears。 〃Do you think I haven't tried？ Do you think
I've spent the past eleven years purposely living with a ghost？〃
**skip**〃Maybe not； but you've done it。 You haven't resolved a thing in the
eleven years； if that hurt in your eyes is for real。 It's your
punishment； isn't it？ Your punishment for living。〃
She shook her head and whispered； 〃No。 That's not true！〃
〃Not true？〃 he echoed in a voice strangely mellow。 〃Answer me one thing；
Chloe。 Have you been with another man since we were together？〃
〃That's none of your bus…〃
〃It is so。〃 He took her face in his hands； correctly anticipating her
attempt to look away。 His touch was gentle but firm。 〃I was the first。