大暑 [3] / [13]
"You’re married and I know that. I don't intend to break up your relationship, I won't. I will leave, but please, do me a favor only this one time. Please. Until this case over, while I'm safe enough, only you can help me.
There's no one who can comfort me, just with their mere existence, like you do. I can breath only when I'm beside you. I have confidence that I can rediscover my bravery if you are with me. I'll leave for good when this case is over. I want you to walk beside me for awhile. Without you there, I'd give up everything. Please, help me . . .”
she said all this while trying not to cry.
Alexander was conflicted. On one hand, he knew her continued presence would surely be impossible once Cynthia returned, but, even before she came back, he didn't like what he sensed Violet might be doing. She was playing the victim well―hell, she was a victim as far as Alexander was concerned―but she was taking advantage of her position. That much was clear to him, and he resented her manipulation, and feared what it could do to his relationship with Cynthia.
On the other hand, though he was reluctant to admit it, he felt a great deal of sympathy for her. He was being honest with her when he said they were through. But for some reason, he felt the need to be her protector. Maybe it was his nature. Or perhaps she, for reasons unknown even to him, had a particular effect on him.
"Listen,"
he stammered, emerging from his conflicting thoughts.
"I know what you're going to say," she interrupted,
"but listen. I need you. You're the only person I have left to turn to. I might have betrayed you at one time or another, but you're the only person I have to rely on: the only person who can protect me."
There she was again, playing on his vulnerability. She knew exactly where his sensitivities were, as if she could read his mind.
"No, you listen to me. I'll make you a deal. If you promise to seek help, and to report what happened to you, you can stay until Cynthia gets back. When she returns though, the decision will partly be up to her, and you'll very likely have to find a new place to stay."
Violet considered him for a moment, and, with a wave of her hand, turned away,
"It's getting late. Let's talk about this―"
"Now!" He pushed,
"What is your answer?"
"Fine," she said,
"I'll look into treatment, and I'll talk to somebody about what happened, but you're not going to throw me out, right?"
She said this with sad eyes, but the shade of a smile. Alexander barely noticed it, but it made him uneasy.