“You don't understand, Maria! I love you!” he exploded, throwing his hands into the air, “I love you and I love you more than I’ve loved anyone else in my life. I love you so much that I feel like I’m going crazy—.”

“Stop, please, stop,” Maria pleaded, moving around the back of the couch as he continued to corner her. They had traveled around the apartment that way. Every time he stepped forward, she put a piece of furniture in between them.

“Don't tell me to stop,” he yelled, desperation and frustration evident in his voice, “Don't do that to me, Maria. Because I need you to hear me. I need you to understand.”

“I can’t!” she said, backing into the kitchen as he walked forward.

“What do you mean you can't! Do you not know the English language? I'm confessing my love for you, for the—.” he said, growing exasperated. Why couldn't she just listen?

“No,” she shook her head, hands grasping the kitchen counter. “No, you don't know me.”

“I mean, I know one month isn't a lot of time to fall in love, but I thought we clicked, right from the beginning,” he said, trying to make his voice sound a bit more calm. “I know you, Maria. You’re all I have left—you’re the only person I’ve had for a long time. And I love you. Can't you just say it back?”

His voice broke at the end, tugging on Maria’s heartstrings. She walked around the kitchen island, her face pained with guilt. She couldn't give into this, she couldn’t let him love her without the truth. She didn't deserve his love. But the way his voice was cracking and the vulnerability in his tone, it pulled at her. Maria had to look away as she spoke, so she wouldn’t see the disappointment on his face when she spoke the inevitable words.

“No, I can't,” she said softly and she couldn’t help but look back at him. She wanted to cry as his face fell. She loved him, she really did. She wanted to tell him, to scream it from the highest building.

“So all of this between us—I’ve made it all up?” he asked, his voice much softer. The voice of a broken man. “You don't love me?”

She could see the hurt and betrayal in his face. No, I do, she wanted to say. But it wasn't right of her. She couldn't let him love a monster without knowing.

“No—it's just,” Maria broke off, sighing. She was so frustrated. She could see she was losing him and her heart raced. No, no, she couldnt lose him, too. The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“I love you. But—,” she swallowed. It was too late, she had to spit the rest out. “I’m a murderer. I killed your parents.”