Chapter 49

Two kids, both covered in blood. Endless nights haunted by nightmares. All the pain and suffering he'd made her endure. And her now—broken, worn out, like a withered lotus leaf in the cold wind... Elizabeth broke down, sobbing like her whole world had finally shattered. Every tear seemed to carry the weight of all her buried grief. William held her tight, their tears mixing. Each drop that fell from her eyes was like a blade stabbing into his chest—hurting far more than any of his old wounds ever had. “I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...” he kept muttering, again and again. “Whatever you want—kick me, hit me, curse me, anything... I'll be with you. This life, the next one, and the one after, I'll be right here.” The soft, pale sunlight stretched their shadows out long and thin on the floor. After a long time, Elizabeth finally stopped crying, exhaustion overtaking her. She had been holding it together ever since Michael rescued her. She didn't want to let him down, had bottled everything up t