“But I do, and the barbed wire tightens once more, until my heart is strangled and broken.”

“I harden my glare and my heart.”

“I hate you," I say, the sentiment muffled against his heart, hoping to make it true."And I love you," he answers without hesitation, voice resolved and raw as he holds me tighter so I can't break away and react. "A crossroads, my beautiful princess, that was unavoidable—given our situations.”

“No one knows what he or she is capable of until things are at their darkest.”

“I was afraid of...""Go on..." I press."Of unloading my baggage on someone as sweet as you."I can't keep the smile off my lips. "Oh, wow.""What?""I guess we're both oblivious. That's the same reason I kept running from my feelings for you.""Because I'm sweet?" That dimpled, boyish grin flashed over his face.”

“I ache to cry... ache so much, it takes my breath away.”

“I clench my fingers. "She's right, huh? The morbid and revolting are such fascinating subjects.”