Chapter 36
~ Nathaniel ~
I'd lied.
The realization sat uncomfortably in my chest as I watched Hailey's face crumble, her phone still pressed against her ear even though the call had clearly ended.
I'd lied about the whole "woman I love dearly" thing. About waiting for the right person to bring to this bridge. About her being special enough to break my sacred rule.
The truth was, I'd been here three times before. With three different women. Had bought locks with two of them. Had thrown keys into the water while making promises I'd had no intention of keeping.
It was a line. A good line. The kind that made women feel chosen, special, like they were the exception to some carefully maintained standard. And it worked. It always worked.
But standing here now, watching Hailey's world fall
