Bella's POV
The crushed expression in Julian's eyes tore through my heart like a blade.
I knew exactly what Julian was trying to do. By leaving just one Burrowing Spike behind, he could stretch out the treatment, buying himself more precious time at my side.
But what did tomorrow really promise either of us?
I can't chain Julian to this doomed path. He deserves so much more than wasting away beside someone like me.
Tears threatened to spill as I plastered on my brightest smile and told Julian, my words carrying hidden meaning, "Quick healing beats slow torture. Why drag out the agony?"
"Bellie!" Julian's fingers clamped around my wrist like a vise.
As though only this fierce grip could anchor me to him forever.
Julian had no idea that the moment I became Mrs. Montgomery, our paths had already split apart.
We're like train tracks running side by side—forever close, never touching.
So why keep torturing ourselves with impossible dreams?
