Chapter 7

"Liliana, I regret it. Please forgive me. I just made the same mistake that all men make. Isn't it better late than never? I've changed, Liliana."

James kept knocking on the door, his voice filled with pleas.

But I felt nothing inside—just annoyance.

I wanted to pretend I didn't hear him, but the noise drew complaints from the neighbors, forcing me to open the door.

I cracked it open just a little and warned him, "Get lost. I have nothing to say to you."

James pushed against the door, trying to force his way in. "Liliana, I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me. After you left, I realized I couldn't live without you.

"I miss you and your cooking. I haven't eaten well since you left, and I can't even find a tie that matches my shirt. We have two kids. Can you really bear to let them grow up in a single-parent household?"

That statement finally set me off. I yanked the door handle backwards, and in an instant, his fingers got caught in the door.

"My hand—Liliana, stop!"

I p