His words ripped through me. Tears flooded down my face, and my chest split open like something had torn it apart with bare hands. Every organ ached. I couldn't breathe. I grabbed whatever I could reach and hurled it at him, watching blood bloom across his skin, watching him refuse to dodge. Then my legs gave out. I collapsed to my knees in front of him, fists knotted in his shirt, choking on my own voice.
"Why!"
"Why, Justin!"
"Tell me why!"
Why did you choose me.
Why did you fall in love with me.
Why did you throw away everything to build me a home, only to burn it down with your own hands.
Why did you hold the umbrella over my head, then shred it to pieces.
Why!
He didn't answer. He didn't hold me the way he used to. When I lunged forward and tried to kiss him, he turned his face away. He wouldn't even look at me.
"Odette said."
"If she can still smell you on me."
"She won't let me touch her."
Ice swallowed me whole. Every nerve in my body went dead, as if I'd been nailed to the floor. Even my tears stopped. I stared at the man in front of me, watched him pick up his coat, walk to the door.
"Louisa."
"Think it over."
Think it over.
I laughed.