Unfaithful Read Online Free Page B

resist.”
    “But you did,” I pointed out, relieved.
    Evan nodded. “It’s as though each of us has to atone in our own personal way for original sin by resisting temptation like Adam couldn’t.”
    “Then what happened?” I asked, curious.
    “Actually, I still hadn’t realized what was going on. I saw the girl vanish and thought I’d taken a nasty blow to the head. I started walking home, thinking about my mother. In my mind, I relived what had happened with my father. I was anxious to tell her about how I’d stood up to him. I wanted to reassure her that from that moment on I’d take care of everything, we’d move away, she’d never be subjected to his humiliations again. Circumstances had forced me to grow up quickly, taking care of the family and the shop when I was still little more than a child. I felt ready.
    “Then something caught my eye, something hidden in the dim light at the end of the alley. I moved toward it and began to make out a shape lying on the ground. A body. I ran to help, but when I neared it I saw a pool of blood around the body. There was nothing I could do. Whoever he was, it was too late.
    “I was just about to leave when a strange instinct compelled me to move closer. I reached out, turned the body over and saw his face. It hit me like a bolt of lightning right in the chest. It was me. And I was dead.
    “I knelt there staring at my corpse, paralyzed, powerless to react and unable to find the courage to leave it and walk away. The bullet had passed through my heart. The shot must have been fired from close range, but it hadn’t been the boy beneath me who pulled the trigger.”
    I cringed at the thought of such cruelty.
    “And yet I was too horrified to stay there either. My body was a piece of dead meat lying on the ground. I got up and ran away as fast as I could. I had a strange knot in my throat I couldn’t ease. It was as if all my tears had suddenly dried up: tears not for myself, but for my mother. A single thought hounded me: who would take care of her? I had no choice but to leave her to her sad fate, living out her life with that good-for-nothing worm of a husband.
    “I was amazed when the following months proved me wrong. My aggressive reaction taught Father a lesson and that was the last time he ever stayed out until dawn. My passing helped bring them together again and their marriage was saved. I couldn’t have been happier. They couldn’t see me but I watched them whenever possible. They were united in their grief over losing me, but at least they were united . If I had to die, I can’t imagine a better reason. The happiness in my mother’s eyes cancelled out everything else. For years that was all I’d wanted. My wish had come true.” Despite Evan’s words, his face was stony.
    “I think it’s best not to think about the past any more,” I said, hoping it would improve his mood, and added with a wink, “Let’s focus on the future.” I was resolved to break down the walls of reserve he’d just talked about. Actually, since I’d known him I’d found his attitude to be anything but reserved.
    He laughed, almost as if he’d read my mind.
    “What ever happened to that good boy?”
    He drew closer, his gaze turning sly. “I’m more of a good boy than you imagine. It’s not easy being around you and not . . .”
    “And not what?” I asked provocatively.
    “And not allowing myself to be consumed by the fire.”
    “After three centuries, you should have learned to keep that fire under control.”
    “For three centuries I was surrounded by shadows and ice. You’re my fire. And whenever I’m near you I risk being consumed.”
    “Then I might get burned too. I’d better keep my distance.”
    “Who says I’ll let you? We’re not in the seventeen hundreds any more. If we’d met back then, you certainly would have had to keep your distance, and only after I’d seen approval in your eyes could I have asked for your hand.”
    “Right, sure. I