Page 39 of Ashes

Knowing I had to say goodbye was breaking my heart. It shattered further when I realized Stitches wouldn’t get the chance since he was in lockdown with no visitors for now.

Bad fucking timing.

I hoped it didn’t make him worse.

“Heaven,” I murmured, holding her hand. “I have to go. I don’t want to leave you, but Seth won. Since he was able to make you scream, he won you from us. We fucked up by making that bet with him. Our egos were bigger than our hearts, and for that I’m so fucking sorry. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m sorry you’re scared. I’m sorry I can’t be here. I just. . . please come back. Tell us what really happened. Seeing you like this is killing all of us. Stitches sends his love. He needs you so much.”

I licked my lips as I memorized her features.

Still as a doll. Perfect as one too. She continued to stare at the ceiling.

“Can I kiss you, heaven?” I whispered, standing so I could lean over her.

She didn’t move. Didn’t answer me. I sighed and cradled her face as I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers, kissing her slowly and gently.

She didn’t kiss me back.

I rested my forehead against hers after I broke away.

“You’re in there. I know you are. Please. Find your way out. Find your way back to me. To us. I thought we were strong, but without you, we’re not. This is breaking us.”

I pulled away from her and wiped my eyes.

How was it possible to fall in love with someone so fast?

Because you’ve waited a lifetime for her.

I took her hand in mine and flipped her palm up. I gently traced letters onto it.

I love you.

“I’ll wait for you, Sirena,” I said, tears trickling down my cheeks. I wiped at them and released her hand. “We all will.”

I left the room, forcing myself to not look back at her.

“You good?” Church asked as I stepped into the hall and wiped at my eyes again.

I nodded, my throat tight. I didn’t want to cry. Fucking help me, I didn’t.

I cast a look at Sin. He was staring back at me, his brows crinkled. He quickly turned away.

“Sin, go tell her goodbye,” Church said gruffly.

“I’m good,” Sin muttered.

“Fucking get in there,” Church snarled before I could tell him the same thing. “I swear to fuck, Sinclair, you’re working on my last nerve.”

Sin glanced at me before closing his eyes for a moment to compose himself and opening them again.

“You may never get another chance,” I said softly. “So if there’s anything you want to say to her, do it now.”

He said nothing, but after a moment, he pushed past us and marched into her room, closing the door behind him.

I moved next to Church. “It’ll be good for him.”

“I hope so. Right now, it’s just me and you.”

He was right. Stitches was laid up. Sin was having an internal war. Everything really was just me and Church right now.

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