Chapter 22

"I—" Benedict instinctively tried to defend himself, but Minerva cut him off before he could finish. "I know what you're about to say. Yes, I get it. All of that is in the past, and maybe I shouldn't still be holding on to it, but the damage it caused isn't something that can be erased with a simple apology or some grand gesture." Maybe it was the heat of the moment. Maybe it was the weight of two lifetimes' worth of bottled-up pain finally finding a place to break free. Minerva lifted her eyes and looked directly at him. "But do you even realize? The real issue between us was never just about what happened. The problem was always deeper than that. To you, I was only ever suited to be 'Mrs. Robertson.' Someone beautiful to take to fancy dinners and smile at others. "But Benedict, I'm a person. I come from a strong family. I have a degree, experience, and ambition. I have a life and dreams of my own. I've never wanted to spend my whole life orbiting around you, sacrificing who I a