“Because it makes sense. Because I have to! Because life is not fair! You don’t see me quitting.” His jaw flexes. “I love someone else, too.”
“Who? That girl in New York?”
He side-eyes me, guarded, but then sighs. He takes my hands, his expression softening. “Let’s make this work. Please, Morgan.”
His voice almost cracks, as if he is begging.
“What?”
“We could see other people, but on camera, we’re married.”
I grimace at the suggestion and tear my hands away. “God would weep for us living such an egregious lie.”
“He would show mercy if it is for the greater good. We inspire people, Morgan.” He shakes his head. “You think you will touch as many people with Jack as your husband? I know he doesn’t believe.”
I swallow hard, considering his words. “Does he even believe in marriage? Or will you be with him forever out of wedlock?”
“Well, I... we haven’t talked about getting married.”
“God, you are selfish. Destroying everything over supposed love, yet you don’t even know if he holds the same values. Does he want children?”
I look around, searching for answers I don’t have. “I just assumed he did.”
“No, you didn’t ask because you are either in-lust or already know you won’t like the answer.”
“That’s rather harsh.”
“An atheist,” he mutters bitterly. “What job will you have? Do you think he will want you to preach if he doesn’t believe?”
“I don’t know.”
“And what about money? Will he be okay with you making massively more than him?”
The thought of me giving Jack gifts flashes. Buying him things didn’t go well. He never lets me pay for anything. I can’t imagine how me contributing to a household would go.
“Every couple has challenges,” I defend weakly.
“Except us. We are on the same page for everything.”
“Except love,” I counter.
“Love doesn’t make a marriage work. Have you told your dad?”
“No,” I answer, quiet.
“My God. You haven’t thought about any of this. You don’t know what you are doing.” He pulls at his hair. “He’ll be so... furious.”
I cup my elbows and shrug. “I’ll get thebrunt of it.”
“Your dad isn’t very kind to me. This is a disaster.” He paces again. “Are you sure you want to do this? I could be fired. My career is over.”
My heart sinks. Now, I’m bringing Blake chaos.
“Ingrid got a new job after she left our church,” I reason.
“At a small firm. My Lord, is there no way to get through to your selfish heart? Perhaps you deserve an atheist.”
He pushes past me, then calls over his shoulder.
