"The only box here is the one of your own making." Dory angrily bit back. Yes, of course he was appreciative of all she'd done for him in the aftermath of his injury. Of course he recognized that he hadn't been the best or easiest of patients, and had been grumpy more often than he would've liked to have been. But, none of what happened on the Thames was what he was talking about. His injuries were just the excuse she was looking for to leave, for she already had had a foot out the door before the Thames.

"Did you think I'd suddenly expect you to be some brilliant fucking society wife if we got married? That I'd have you stuff yourself into gowns and pretend to be someone other than you - the person I fucking love?" He exploded then, taking only the hint of a step forward. Already, his leg was threatening to give out from underneath him and the thought of having this argument while sitting made him nauseous. "You conjured up some lie and convinced yourself that was what I wanted. When really, all I fucking wanted was not having to worry about what anyone thought if they saw me out with you. That's it, Winnie. That's all I fucking wanted." Dory could live without children or the glamour of society life. He didn't mind going to the opera or ballets alone or with another friend if necessary. All Dory had hoped for was the possibility of peace and she never even thought that was an option.

"You're the only one who thinks you're not good enough for me. If all you think you are to me is my mistress then you might as well go. Nothing I say or do is ever going to convince you otherwise."

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