#Chapter 51

Mae’s POV I reach my hands out to Henry, helping him rise from his knees. Instead of letting him fall back to his seat though, I pull him into the one next to mine. When he settles, I surround one of his hands with both of mine. “I care for you, too,” I tell him. “You are the first person who ever saw me, who ever led me to believe I could have whatever life I wanted. That I deserved whatever life I wanted.” I breathe through the lump forming in my throat. “That I deserve to be loved by someone as good as you.” A tender smile takes over Henry’s face as he brushes my cheekbone with the thumb of his free hand. “You do. Well, I don’t know about me being all that good, but you certainly deserve everything you want, Mae Ashford.” The lump in my throat gets heavier. He isn’t making this easy. But my caring gaze turns sad then, and his brows bunch when he notices. “I have a mate,” I admit. “I’ve been wishing and hoping it was you, but it’s not.” Henry’s brows bunch further, th