"But Ben chose you over his father before the idea of romance was on the table," Karla said softly. "Because he saw how unhealthy his life would be otherwise. Having you romantically just became the icing on the cake."

She nodded and then murmured aloud, "I wonder if Warren would choose Kaeleer if he didn't love me. I know it's not the same choice as it was for Ben, but I do wonder that. What his life would look like if I weren't in it."