Page 772 of Coal Hearts

He might keep fighting.

Hoping.

Pressing my lips together, I didn’t say a thing.

Henri roared and jerked and fought.

But it was no use.

The chains held him down.

Starvation stole his strength.

And Victor pressed the softest kiss on my forehead. “You finally learned, little jewel. What a shame you learned too late. Goodbye.”

Chapter Fourteen

...............................

Henri

––––––––

VICTOR SLICED.

“No! Fuck, STOP!”

I lost myself to fury.

The cuffs cut into my arms.

The chain rang.

The very couch almost broke apart.

The image of her kneeling, head wrenched back, and blood—

No.

“FUCK!”

I felt it.

The end.

The goodbye.

The loss.

Ily never looked away from me.

She didn’t say a word.

But I felt all of them.

Her love, her sacrifice, her pleas for me to stay sane.

I roared like a beast.