Page 222 of Releasing 10
Like I want to die. “Not too bad.”
His thumb grazed my knuckles. “Did you sleep last night?”
No, I haven’t been able to sleep since I watched them fish my sister’s lifeless body from the river. “A bit.”
He tucked several strands of matted hair over my shoulder and smiled sadly. “I’ve missed you.”
I knew he did. It was the same for me. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“Here.” He thrust the small parcel into my hand. “For you.”
“You didn’t have to get me a gift.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He rolled his eyes. “Just open the box.”
I did and my breath caught in my throat when my eyes landed on the shiny silver inside. “What’s this?”
His cheeks turned red. “It’s an ankle bracelet.”
It wasn’t just an ankle bracelet. It was the most beautiful ankle bracelet I’d ever seen.
I felt my body grow hot as I registered how each individual charm had been carefully selected by my boyfriend.
“The Gemini zodiac sign for your birthday, and the heart represents, well, you know.” He blushed a deeper shade of red. “The book represents the one I know you’re going to write one day, and the pill is so you remember to take yours.”
“The witch’s broomstick?”
His lips twitched. “Because you’re my little witch.”
I smiled. “And the life buoy?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about what you told me, about how you’ve always felt like you were supposed to drown,” he explained, carefully clasping the anklet around my left ankle. “Well, I put that there to remind you that as long as I have air in my lungs, I’ll never let you go under.”
“Hugh.” My eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and I know you feel alone right now, but I need you to know I’m here, Liz.” His eyes burned with sincerity when he gently squeezed my hand. “I’mstillhere.”
I sucked in a trembling breath and squeezed his hand back. “I know you are.”
Keeping his brown eyes locked on mine, Hugh tenderly stroked my cheeks, and then my chin, and then my neck, before finally resting his hand on my shoulder. “You’re beautiful.”
I wasn’t.
I was filthy.
Inside and out.
I wanted to tell him just that, but when I opened my mouth, all that came out was a broken sob.
I tried again, but another cry tore out.
And then his arms were around my body, pulling me close. “Let it out.” Wrapping me up as tight as he could, he rocked me in his arms. “I’m here and I’m not leaving you, okay? No matter what.”
Feeling weak from exhaustion, I folded myself into his arms and cried.
It wouldn’t help.
Nothing could bring her back.
