She was convinced, mostly. Jesse was the right, logical choice. "I am," Fallon replied unconvincingly. "I just...I know how badly this is going to hurt Lachlan. And I never —" she broke off, unable to finish the thought. Hurting Lachlan killed Fallon, so much so that she was consumed by dread at the thought of telling him.

Fallon buried her head in her hands as the first of what would likely be many quiet sobs escaped her. Through them, she incoherently said, "I never wanted to hurt him."