Page 75 of Born Free

I squeeze my eyes closed, and somehow, I know exactly what’s coming before Roman even says it.

“He’s left you everything. His bank account. His real estate investments,” Roman says, his voice tight. “And the hospital.”

My entire face crumples, and I squeeze Sebastian’s body tighter, a sob escaping my lips.

Damn you, Sebastian.

Roman lays his hand on my shoulder and simply maintains physical contact, his presence, as I fall apart.

And I know that he understands. There is no jealousy in his touch. No anger or resentment. It might be easy to see what is happening to me as regret. That I wish things had worked out between me and Sebastian.

But Roman understands. His soul is intertwined with my own. He can feel every truth inside me.

Iwillalways love Sebastian. Even if I hated him. Even if he and I never could fix each other and were never destined to be each other’s ever after.

Roman knows.

He doesn’t rush my grief.

He isn’t jealous. Or resentful.

He’s just there for me, giving his calm, steady touch.

I don’t know how long it has been when the door to the club opens, and a few seconds later, Jay and Jon walk into view. They’re both pushing wooden boxes on wheels, and it takes my brain a moment to realize what they are.

Coffins.

“Holy shit, what… what happened?” Jay’s voice cuts through the silent club.

I look up to see both men gaping at our identical white hair.

The whole world shifted, that’s what.

“I could never explain it,” Roman confesses. “No one else could ever understand it.”

I see wariness in Jon’s eyes.

Do I try to tell him what happened? How I saw my mother, talked to her? How she gave me Roman back, and how she found a way to send me back to the world of the living by casting one last curse?

Could he ever understand?

“We need to get you all out of here,” Jay moves on, motivated by urgency. “It’s not safe for you to stay.”

More tears would be running down my cheeks if the well wasn’t finally completely dry. Jon comes to crouch beside me, wrapping his arms around me for a moment.

There’s love in his embrace. Sympathy. Grief. Support.

He kisses the top of my head.

I want to hold him in a death grip as Jon begins to pry Sebastian out of my hands.

But I know I’m going to have to let go at some point. And I let the numbness start taking over as Jon picks Sebastian’s body up in his arms and gently loads him into one of those coffins.

And then, Jon and Jay look back at Roman and me sitting side by side on the floor. They both look a little uncomfortable.

“You both have to get in, Juliet,” Jon says softly, gently.

Oh. Oh.

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