Chapter 129 Hope And Pain

• Back in his hotel suite, Edwin stood in the center of the room, feeling untethered. The elegant space felt hollow, much like the cavity in his chest where his heart used to be. He removed his glasses, setting them on the nightstand before pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes, unable to stem the flow of tears that had begun on the ship and refused to stop. He looked so devastated and in despair, his dark hair looking like he had been running his hands through it out of frustration and anger.
• Who said heartbreak doesn't hurt? It hurts more than physical pain; his mind was muddled and his heart on fire and suffocating—he could barely breathe.
• A strangled sob escaped his throat as he collapsed onto the edge of the bed while clutching his chest. His shoulders shook violently as he finally allowed himself to break completely, the rejection crushing him. The memory of Lance's words echoed painfully in his mind: "I'm not ready to confront this side of me yet."