and disappeared from sight。
〃Ill be in touch; princess;〃 he had said when he kissed her good…bye。
〃You shouldnt; Ross;〃 she had said; though her throat was tight with
emotion。 〃Its better this way。〃
He hadnt said anything more; had simply turned on his heel and walked
off。
The sense of loss she had felt then should have eased as the day wore
on; but it didnt。 It grew sharper; forcing her to a deeper level of
soulsearching。 On this level she felt great guilt。 Twice; now; she had
been with Ross。 Had it not been for the first time; Crystal might still
be alive。
The pain of her memory of that time was so great that she rarely went
there。 Now she did。 She and Crystal had double…dated that rainy Saturday
night and had returned home on a sour note; largely from Chloes
distraction。 When Crystal confronted her; Chloe told her about Ross。 She
hadnt meant to gloat; only to share the excitement。
But Crystal was furious。 Hurt; jealousy; anger…Chloe had never been able
to sort through her twins rage。 Crystal had run from the house; taken
her small sports car; and sped away。 Within an hour the police were at
the door to report that the small car had skidded on the wet road and
slammed into a tree。 Crystal had died instantly。
Chloe twitched。 Her forehead was bathed in sweat。 Throwing an arm over
her eyes; she sank more deeply into the sofa。 For years she had lived
with the guilt of causing Crystals death。
But there was new guilt now。 Ross had fallen in love with her and she
had allowed it to happen。 Since she couldnt marry him; he would be
hurt; which was the last thing she wanted。 He deserved the best; the
finest。 He deserved a wife and children and all those things she might
have wanted herself; had life been different。 Causing him pain increased
her own pain ten…fold。 Because; when all was said and done; she loved
him; too。
That was the deepest layer unearthed in her soul…search。 She did love
Ross; but it had no future。 There would always be yesterday and the
ghosts she lived with。 Ross had stolen her heart; but only a part。 The
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