REPEATED IMAGE OF THE LOVER DESTROYED.

❛   divine ,   hm?   ❜           smile lights upon angelic features     –––––     as if she’s unaware of her own beauty.   indeed ,   she’s UNUSED to this level of genuine compliment   ;   oh ,   it isn’t as if she suffers a lack of attention from society ,   but in romantic terms ,   her husband has been far from affectionate   (  closer to cruel ,   in her own opinion  ) ,   and she quite enjoys this flattery.         ❛   if you wish ,   of course you may join me for dinner ,   signore jefferson.   ❜           paint  -  stained but delicate hands flutter at sides ,   gaze carrying undeniable EXCITEMENT to it   ;   joy is an expression suited to maria’s face ,   rare as it is.

for once in his life ,   he’s near  -  speechless.   a step is taken back ,   and though hands curl at his fists it’s more to remind himself of reality than to strike.   he shakes his head.         ❛   no.   ❜          one singular syllable   ;   it comes out louder than the whisper he’s expecting ,   but no less sure.   it takes alexander a moment to find his words   (  so ever - present ,   suddenly gone  )  ,   to manage to string phrases together COHERENTLY ,   falsifying confidence that seems to have evaporated entirely in front of james.         ❛   i’m not going to hit you.   what’d be the POINT of that?   you may deserve it ,   but i’d rather hear an apology ,   if it would be a TRUTHFUL one.   if not ,   save your words.   ❜

❛   you are ALWAYS enough ,   my dear.   the importance of my work does not diminish how much you mean to me.   ❜

❛   i wasn’t thinking     –––––     this ,   i can PROMISE you ,   because i swear if i’d given it even a moment of thought i wouldn’t have done such an atrocious deed.   i hadn’t slept in far too long ,   i was WEAK ,   but these aren’t excuses for what i’ve put you through.   i know that.   all i can do now is tell you ,   from the bottom of my heart ,   that i REGRET it.   i don’t deserve you   ;   i’ve never deserved you ,   eliza.   i’m sorry.   ❜

❛   take a BREAK.   ❜

❛   the time is near     –––––     so near it’s stirring the blood in their veins!   ❜

❛   your eyes as we said our GOODBYES     –––––     can’t get them out of my mind.   ❜

❛   i know how happy we could be.   what the hell was wrong with me?   ❜

❛   good morning vanessa!   if it isn’t the LOVELIEST girl in the place!   ❜