ed frame of our largest wedding photo. In it, I was looking at Liam with so much love, so much hope. He was smili

at ran right through his smiling face. A sob, raw and ugly, tore from my throat. I let the photo fall from my hands, and this

to the sofa, my body trembling. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. For a split second, a deeply ingrained habit took over. I r

wanted to call for help was the source of all my pain. He woul

o a hospital. But the thought of driving myself in this state was ter

ing, his voice impatient.

ch. "I'm... I'm in a lot of pain. I

ine. I heard Chloe's voice in the backgroun

d, devoid of any sympathy. "Pain? What kind of pain? Did you eat something bad? Take an A

who might be having a medical emergency. The fin

my voice flat. "It's n

ing fire. I had no choice. I grabbed my keys and purse and stumbled out of the ho

iseptic and suffering. After what felt like an eternity, a nurse called my na

as C

They were talking to a veterinarian, Liam's expression a perfect mask of gentle concern. He listened intently, nodding, placing a comfort

imacy. A nurse walking by smiled at them. "Y

her. Liam just smiled, a

ollapsed in a hospital waiting room, and he was a few feet away, building a new life on th

rgency room doors, back into the night. I didn't know where I was going, I just knew I

hoppy water. I was running on pure adrenaline and despair. My phone buzzed

your house. Saw the tra

as I typed a reply.

ed h

then I called him. He an

s wrong? Wh

, the words barely a whisper.

voice firm and steady, a lifeli