CATHERINE
I stopped breathing.
My throat tightened with emotions too big, my mind was too heavy. My eyes were locked on his and I could see it, the certainty of his words and that made my heart ache more than anything.
I pulled myself away from him ignoring the way my body screamed in protest, watching his face fall. “Those are just words, Ronald.”
The pain in his eyes was unbearable so I looked away, staring at the rug instead. “And Ellie… I can’t let her go through all of this because I want to be with you.”
I felt him go stiff, even from this distance. “What are you saying?” His voice was slipping, roughness coating every word.
I swallowed, whispering slowly. “I’m saying it would be better if you stayed away.”
I waited and waited, my heart pounding loudly in my chest as the word
