"Oh God, I'm sorry, Elise. Please don't cry." His heart somehow simultaneously twists and lodges in his throat. He strokes her cheeks, trying to wipe the tears away and erase them.

I never meant to make you cry. I promised myself I wouldn't do that to you. I promised I wouldn't hurt you. Oh, Kitten.

"I didn't mean to force this on you. I..."

Won't mention it again? He knows that's an even bigger lie than ever. It will come up again, sooner or later.

What the hell am I going to do?