He clasped his hands and settled further in the chair. "Because he loved you, Mya. When Erik asked me for my blessing, it was to look after you, take care of you, to keep you as his number one priority. It was never to be with you. In all the years we were together, he never took your love for granted. He never expected you to be love him, to choose him, and he was willing to force himself to be content with just being by your side if that was what you wanted. Your happiness and safety came ...