om the next day to collect my few belon

, looking pale and weak-

eplaced by a worn t-

at warm, gentle smile that h

his voice soft a

're

me you lef

so wor

my hand, and I

in was

t like a bl

he continued, his eyes

ansplant was a

ing to make a

because

t not

ted in the air, hol

phone buzzed on t

nced

owing a preview of a g

named "Opera

name was

's it going with the p

t, my party

etter b

replied with a strin

e buyi

s is too

essage, from just before I w

livering th

be gone

ckered back

at adoring expression, completely

k was f

uth now, shimmering ju

my hand a

, Liam," I said, my v

all that

y taken aback by

ting tears of joy, em

ou..." I began, watching

maybe caution-crossed his face bef

money," he said, his voice d

ry penny, as soon as I

id, shakin

pay m

't wa

m straight

payment for th

time we sp

s wor

some level, that I was bu

evering

idn't un

lief washed

was just be

breathed, pullin

re to

too good for

und me, and for a mo

y, healthy beat of his

s beating stron

because of a sacrifice I

a jolt of ice t

a complex emot

w a crack in the facade, a hint of

tional relationships, my genuine sacrifice m

was probably getting

sed, and the mask

all, cheap apartment t

h

it had be

space, the worn-out furniture,

to the Blackwood Corporat

you," I thought, a bitter, si

iny bed, when you'r

you made for yo

o a suitcase, he came up behind me,

re you

things," I said,

back and brushing against my side, right ov

h, a wave of pain so inte

e went

e asked, his voic

face i

having

eeth, forcing

Y

. my p

cram

ut question, his expressi

y poor

ie d

u a hot wat

is touch gentle, his

mth couldn'

bleeding just a day before, now felt

touch, I knew with absolute certainty that meeting hi

asn't just broke