Rachel had tried to escape the torture of her thoughts and memories. She had loved Joel--loved him with all the wealth of tenderness and passion she possessed. He had taken her love and destroyed it...

Now she heard Joel say, "I know what I always said. And I used to believe it, too. But not any longer. I've been a fool, Rachel. You don't know how much of a fool."

But it was too late; she couldn't let herself believe him now.