Chapter Ten

(Leo's POV)

Violet blinks a few times before shifting to grab a cookie. I nod at the confirmation of my suspicions and patiently wait to see if she will tell me herself.

“I know you don't want this marriage either,” Violet quietly begins, her eyes still on the coffee table. “But somehow, being called too sickly to even be near you felt unnecessary.”

Her voice sounded so raw and it wasn't long before gentle drops fell from her eyes, leaving small water spots on her pants. I move my hand towards hers, but stop before it could reach.

“I never said that, Vee. That was all my father's doing. He sees emotions and trauma as weakness. I know that better than anyone,” I try to comfort her.

Violet's red tinted eyes gaze up from beneath her dark hair and I catch a glimpse of an expression I have witnessed countless times. It was the same look I always wore after my mother left, one that shows how completely alone someone feels.

Quickly, I lean over and grab the worn leather notebook from