He spent the four years of university setting up his own business and training for the army.Text content © .
More than one girl asked him out, but he had no time for them.
Thinking back, he'd asked Deborah to be his girlfriend more out of a sense of duty than love.
She'd lost the will to live, and he thought he needed to give her a reason to go on.
He had an obligation to take care of her, but he couldn't be her father or mother.
The only position available was her boyfriend.
So that was what he became.
He thought he loved her, because that was what boyfriends were supposed to feel for their girlfriends.
It wasn't until he'd fallen for Kira that he realised he was wrong.
His feelings for the two women were as different as night and day.
The thought of Kira often brought a smile to his lips.
She was constantly on his mind.
When they were apart, he wondered what she was doing and couldn't wait to see her.
When they held hands or kissed, his heart just started beating faster of its own volition.
She made him begin to notice the little things in life and see them in a new, brighter light. The mall used to be a boring place.
To him, shopping was a waste of time.
He could have everything delivered to his house.
But when he went there with her, it just somehow felt a lot more interesting.
Even an ice cream parlour became a fun place to visit.
He'd felt none of those things when he was with Deborah.
Austyn's thoughts flew to Kira.
He grew restless.
He wanted to see her right now.
Deborah saw the distracted look on his face.
She knew whom he must be thinking about.
Resentment boiled up inside her.
She raised her voice. 'I did love you! I still do! I just made a stupid mistake. Liam tricked me!'
She clutched the inhaler in her hand. 'You saved my life. If you hadn't sent me to the hospital that night, I would have died ten years ago. How could I not love you? Austyn, you can doubt my words, but never doubt my heart! It beats for you and only you!' Her chest rose and fall rapidly.
She was gasping for breath.
"You should stop talking.' Austyn reached for the inhaler and shook it. 'Here. Breathe in.' 'I'm....I'm fine.' She was wheezing.
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Austyn opened the door, jogged to the other side of the car and helped her out.
'We should get you to a pulmonologist first.'
Deborah sucked on the inhaler.
Her breathing gradually returned to normal.
'No, I'm fine, really. I just got a little worked up just now.'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes.'
Austyn led her by the elbow to a bench under a plane tree.
They were on the square outside the main entrance of Stamford General.
Night had fallen, but the square was still filled with people.
He waited for her to catch her breath.
Deborah sat.
Austyn stood.
She looked up, tracing his straight nose and sharp jawline with her eyes.
He was so handsome, so thoughtful.
So much better than Liam.
Deborah blamed herself for her foolishness.
She went for the penny and gave up the pound.
'Are you feeling better?'
She nodded.