Melissa truly believed her words. To make things easier for Liam, she was willing to cover her face forever, only showing it when they were in private.
Besides, Melissa had done her math. Between her cursed beauty and Liam's comfort, she would choose the latter in no time without feeling any regret at all.
Actually, Melissa was ready to think one step further. She belonged to Liam. Her beauty was for him to enjoy, so she wouldn't mind him being the only one who could see it.
Instead, Liam blamed himself, even hearing the hiss that marked his self-inflicted hatred. Something about his behavior had made Melissa consider resorting to such extreme measures, and he couldn't forgive himself.
"You haven't done anything wrong," Liam exclaimed, taking Melissa's hands. "It's not fair for you to pay for something that isn't your fault."
Melissa finally lifted her head, looking deep into Liam's black eyes, a quiver running through the hands he held.
