Chapter 17

Laurelle lowered her eyes and answered firmly, "I'm not marrying him." When she'd felt the most helpless, Maverick had once given her a sliver of hope. He'd been like a ray of light that had illuminated her world. That was why she'd looked at him through rose-colored glasses all these years. Even when he'd hurt her over and over again, she'd been able to convince herself to forgive him just by thinking back to that day outside the washroom. With his school uniform unbuttoned and the snow falling behind him, he'd kicked down the door and thrown his scarf toward her. As such, she'd tolerated and given in time and time again. Yet, she'd forgotten that people changed. This ray of light could also be directed elsewhere and be used to illuminate someone else's world. Alexis let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad that you came around. You've always been too committed." Alexis brushed her finger gently across the scar on Laurelle's ankle. In a remorseful tone, she continued, I'm so