“Don’t leave me, Lucian! I need you—I’ll die if you go!”
I turned and walked away. I didn’t look back. My pace quickened until I hit the hospital exit and pushed through into the parking lot. The air outside was sharp against my skin. My vision blurred. I was crying, and this time I didn’t bother stopping the tears.
My fingers found the locket at my neck, a gift from Lucian. It was supposed to be a symbol of us. Now it felt like a weight.
“Mara! Mara, please—Mara!” I heard him behind me.
I stopped.
Wiped my tears.
Turned to face him.
“I can’t handle this, Lucian,” I said, my voice breaking. “My heart can’t take it.”
His face crumbled.
“No matter how high your love lifts me,” I continued, “Tina will always be there to crash it. She’s wrapped herself around you with that pregnancy,
