Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
Can’t you understand? Don’t you know what she’s done to me?
Seventy times seven.
His eyes were hot with tears, his heart pounding like a war drum. She
looked like a bedraggled child. Shadows lay dark beneath her blue eyes. Let
her suffer. She deserved it. There was a mark on her neck that made him
sick. She put her hand over it and turned her face away from him. He could
almost see her shrinking. Maybe she had a tiny bit of conscience left. Maybe
she did feel a little shame. Oh, but it’d wear off soon enough, and she’d be
ready to cut him to ribbons again.
I can’t help how I feel, Lord. If I thought she could love me, maybe—
As you have loved me?
It’s not the same. You’re God! I’m only a man.
“You shouldn’t have come for me,” she said dully. “You should never
have come near me in the first place.”
“That’s right. Blame me.” Maybe she was right. He felt sick. Clenching his
hand, he glared down at her. “I said vows, and I’m going to stick by them no
matter how much they’re choking me now.”
She looked up at him with bleak eyes. “You don’t have to.” She shook
her head.
“It’ll work. I’ll make it work.” Didn’t you promise, Lord? Or was I imagining
it? Was she right all along and it was just sexual attraction?
“You’re only fooling yourself,” Angel said. “You just don’t understand. I
never should’ve been born.”
He laughed derisively. “Self-pity. You’re drowning in it, aren’t you? You’re
a blind fool, Angel. You can’t see what’s right in front of your face.”
Nor can you.
She stared into the fire. “I’m not blind. I’ve had my eyes open all my life.
You don’t think I know what I’m saying? You don’t think it’s true? I heard
my own father say I was supposed to be aborted.” Her voice broke. She
regained control and went on more quietly. “How can a man like you understand?
My father was married. He already had enough children. He told
Mama she just wanted a hold over him. I never knew if that was true. He
sent her away. He didn’t want her anymore. Because of me. He stopped loving
her. Because of me.”
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