Page 51 of Shattered Love

I swallow hard as chest tightens my breathing becomes harsh. “Let her go.”

I don’t register the pain as my knees hit the ground or the pity in everyone eyes, but I register the scream, the scream like I’ve never heard before. It’s the type of scream that once you hear it, you never forget it. It’s so haunting, so full of anguish and raw pain, that I’m surprised the person is still alive. It sounds as though their soul is being ripped from their body. Their chest being split open, their heart being torn out.

My body flinches from the pain they feel. It's as though I can hear their world shattering. That person will never be the same. Their life has changed forever.

I feel big arms that hold me tightly, as if trying to hold me together.

That when I realize I’m the one screaming.

* * *

Dominic

Somebody helps me up. As I stumble to the bed, I notice the doctors and nurses have already removed her tubes.

I push her hair out of her face. She looks so damn beautiful—my angel.

“It’s okay, beautiful. I'll be waiting for you to find me. I’ll wait forever.”

My tears land on her pale skin and I place a kiss on her cold lips.

I’m sorry, my baby. I let you down. I didn't protect you. You saved me, beautiful, you always saved me.

I take off my ring for the first time since I said our vows and place it on her finger. Taking hers, I hold it clenched in my hand.

I walk out of the hospital, ignoring them as they shout my name.

* * *

Dominic

Three days, six hours, thirty-five minutes since my beautiful left the world. How does someone live without their air? Navigate the darkness with no stars?

There is a knock on the door. Carter and Mac stand on the opposite side.

Cooper comes running inside. He runs for our bedroom. After he comes down, he wines and lays down—he's looking for her.

I sit next to him on the stairs, trying to swallow past the fucking lump in my throat. “She’s not here.”

He makes a noise like he knows exactly what I said as he whimpers.

“Fuck, Stone, have you slept at all?” Mac hands me a cup of coffee.

I shake my head. He doesn't understand that Avery was my dream catcher. After the first night I dozed off, I woke reaching for her, only to have my hand land on the coldness of the sheets. The pain was indescribable. It ripped me open, shattering me.

“Come on, man. We’re going to be late.”

Carters gruff voice makes me jump.

He puts his hand on shoulder.

I get up. “I can't say goodbye to her. I can't let her go.”

He nods. “You just get through today because today’s not the hardest day, tomorrow is. That’s when you’ll realize she’s gone.” The pain and truth in his eyes makes me suck in a breath.

Today is our anniversary. No has mentioned it, do they even remember?

Today I should have surprised her with a bunch of flowers. Instead, they lay on the black coffin in the car in front of me. I'm not taking her out to her favorite restaurant. Instead, I’mburying her in the ground.

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