Tessa's POV
"Please stay," he pleaded, even as I tried gently to pull myself out of his arms, but his hold on me was simply too firm.
I heaved a sigh, trying to stay calm, watching his eyes stay closed, his body now cool from the ice pack I'd used to soothe him, though the words leaving his mouth made it painfully clear he wasn't in his right state of mind.
"Please, don't leave us, Dad. Mom and I need you," was all he could manage, his grip still firm around me.
And for the first time in years, I saw what looked like a single tear slip quietly from his eyes. It didn't just leave me sad for him—for a moment, I felt nothing but pure pity.
Questions like Why had he carried this much pain inside of him? crossed my mind. Why had he decided to bear it all alone this whole time?
Why carry s
