Faded Hearts, Renewed Love

y's

umbled down them. Sophia's scream echoed through the hallway, her body twisting as she

ned? Why did she fall? I barely had time to think when I rea

g beside her, shaking her

through me again. I didn't do a

g around us, muttering. I could barely make out their words through

didn't you?" on

r added, voice dripping with judgm

ok as I tried to help Sophia, but some

n't get the words out fast enough. "I didn't do any

whole room turned against me, acc

om her!*" som

was whisked away in a blur of lights and chaos. I stood th

ne voice I was both terrif

amon's voice was cold, his anger

p eyes scanning the scene. I thought I'd feel so

voice tight with frustra

me. "I didn't do anything!" I plea

er, who was still being loaded into the ambulanc

ir away from her face. He was soothing her, comforting her, a

at me. He wasn't

anything, to explain that this wasn'

knew she was lying about you. You've always been cruel

lous? What was he talkin

arted again, my

"You don't get to pretend you're inn

might at least have a little faith in me-was accusing me of something I hadn't done

ntle, I could barely recognize it. It made my heart ache, seeing him care for her like tha

I whispered, almost to mysel

one. "Don't touch her again," he w

me. I couldn't even speak. I couldn't expl

rong, the kind of woman who commanded attention with just a glance. She didn't

e asked, looking be

tering open. "I... I think I

the gut. *Her baby?* Damon's baby

on's grandmother turned to me, her eyes sharp. "Did

hing came out. I couldn't form the wo

bit. "You've always been a good girl, but jea

ldn't breathe. I could fe

fted Sophia in his arms and was walking toward

ing like the weight of the

ugh the motions. The bed was cold without Damon in it, and I had no idea

ly of him, of the man who had once made me believe that maybe, just maybe, he co

ut the images of Damon holding Sop

r think he wo

s. Quiet at first, then louder. My heart leaped in my chest as I p

mon's words cut throug

roz

ered, barely ab

n't re

teps was the last thing I heard b

bed, my heart shatteri