Chloe’s eyes fluttered open and looked up at him. The raw emotion he saw in them tore at his resolve. There was utter trust there, and love. He saw it and it broke his heart into tiny pieces as he realized just what he would be giving up for the chance of finally getting the acceptance from his family that he so desperately craved. At that moment, he knew he would never love anyone else. Chloe was it for him even if he could never have her.

“Hey,” she whispered, her voice croaky ...