He took a deep breath, stepping towards the sickbed one agonizing step at a time, each one like walking on a knife edge, each one piercing his heart, wrenched with pain.
A short distance of a few yards felt like an insurmountable feat. When he finally steadied himself by the bed, Liam Yancey's long arm swept up, enveloping Tara Summer in his embrace without hesitation.
Sitting on the edge of the bed and tightly holding her against him, his large frame entirely concealed her petite structure. It highlighted her delicate fragility, making her seem as if she could shatter in an instant.
Liam Yancey lowered his gaze to her pale face, and he couldn't help but stare. The veins in his eyes gradually reddened, deepening until they were almost bloodshot.
"Tara..." His embrace tightened, he buried his face into the crook of her neck. The faint scent of her was like a dagger stabbing him in the heart, causing it to bleed.