Page 118 of Chalk Outline
Pain, confusion, and joy attack my system, and my head spins.
“Please, say my name again.” It’s a heart-wrenching, desperate plea that escapes him.
I wish I could talk, but the shock tightens my vocal cords. Instead, I look at him, running my fingers over the scar on his shoulder, gently touching it and committing its beauty to memory.
Maybe I do this to calm myself down, too.
I flatten my hand, which perfectly fits against the handprint tattoo on his chest.
My handprint.
I want to hug and kiss him, but I can’t move much. This is all I can do for now. He looks at me, stirring up the emotions I tried to bury after I was told he’s dead. I never really succeeded anyway, like I never believed he was dead.
I would’ve felt it if he were.
His warm breath brushes my lips.
Minutes pass, and he stays with me, allowing me to process it at my own pace. I had months to prepare, yet I’m overwhelmed to even speak.
Chapter twenty-three
Reeve Hardy
Astronomical — SVRCINA
“Are you real?” The light in her glossy eyes flickers. “Or am I losing my mind?”
“Yes, Baby. I’m real.” I bring my hands to her face but hold back, waiting for her silent sign of approval. My eyes search between hers. She sniffles before nodding in acceptance. “I missed you so much,” I whisper.
A gasp catches in her throat. “R-Reeve,” her voice wavers as tears stream from her beautiful eyes. Her bottom lip quivers as she sobs into my palms, breaking the silence around us.
I press my forehead against hers, inhaling her into my lungs. Her face softly presses into my chest as more sobs follow.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I whisper with a sharp pain in my chest. I can feel the anger radiating from her, yet I feel herarms wrap around my back, pulling me closer, leaving nothing between us.
“Why did you leave me?” she cries, and I can hardly swallow.
“I never wanted to leave you.”
“But you left, and I knew you didn’t die. I knew it was you, and you kept lying to me.” Her tight fist crashes against my chest, not hard enough to hurt me.
I fasten my arms around her, refusing to let go. “Because I had to. I made a promise to your grandma, and you know I never break my promises.”
“So you broke ours?”
“I never broke ours.” I shake my head, refusing to believe it for a second. “I went out there for you just like I came back for you, because this world would’ve meant nothing without you, and it would be a privilege to die for my wife.”
“She forced you?”
“She trusted me. She sent me to find answers. The same ones you pursued. But also to kill the people who are after you.”
“Did you kill them?” She pulls away to look into my eyes.
“Most of them.”
She stares at my scar, and instinctively, I lower my gaze to the space between us, despising it myself. But she gently places her small hand under my chin and nudges me to lift my gaze back up.
“Don’t look away,” she murmurs.
