Chapter 11
A sharp, metallic taste flooded Sean’s mouth. His tie felt like it was strangling him, tight and suffocating, while the edges of his vision flickered with white static.
The word “disaster” burned in the back of his mind, its ashes settling in his stomach and twisting him up inside. Sean stumbled backward, finally hitting a column. His legs gave out, and he slid to the floor, all strength gone.N
Somewhere deep in his chest, a broken, animal whimper escaped–a sound so raw and unfamiliar it barely felt like his own voice.
“Ah… ah…”
Everything after that passed in a blur, dreamlike and unreal.§
Airport announcements echoed overhead as Sean, numb and hollow, went through the motions–signing papers, collecting what they called Bella’s “effects.” The word felt cruel. All they’d found in her seat after the crash was a small amount of ash, carefully gathered by the coroner, sealed in a simple urn.
After the formalities, the urn was pressed into his hands. Sean moved like a puppet with its strings cut, clutching Bella’s ashes to his chest as he walked out of the building.
Staff members murmured condolences, offering sympathetic looks and words Sean barely heard. Each step was a struggle, his feet heavy as lead as he dragged himself through the airport and out to the parking lot.
He drove home on autopilot, barely seeing the road through the haze.
When he pulled up to his house, a group was waiting outside–the brothers who’d watched him and Bella get married, still calling her their sister–in–law even though everyone knew there was no real love left. Calista was there too.
Calista had been “recovering” in the hospital, but when she saw the news about Bella’s accident, she’d barely been able to contain her excitement. With Sean’s grandfather in a coma and Bella now gone, it felt like the universe was finally clearing the path for her to marry into the family. All she had to do was play the part.
She watched Sean climb out of the car, putting on her best sympathetic expression. She hurried over and reached out for him. “Sean, I’m so sorry. You still have me,” she said, voice soft and sweet.
Sean didn’t even look at her, just kept stumbling up the front steps, moving like he couldn’t feel anything at all.
Calista’s hand hung in the air, her eyes flashing with frustration.
Suddenly, someone shouted, “Sean, careful!“}
Calista looked up just in time to see Sean’s knees buckle. He crumpled onto the steps.
Her expression shifted, and she rushed to help him, but Sean shook his head, eyes empty. “I’m fine. Leave me alone.“>
The others exchanged worried glances.}
Someone finally spoke up, unable to watch any longer. “Sean, I know Bella’s death was sudden, but you didn’t even like her. Isn’t this just… easier? Now you and Calista can finally be together.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” someone else chimed in.}
“You always said the marriage was just for show. Why torture yourself now?“}
Sean stayed on his knees, head bowed, silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.
“No feelings…”
How could that be true? He’d had feelings for Bella. Of course he had.
Calista’s eyes lit up at his words. She’d almost forgotten in the chaos–Sean and Bella never loved each other. Bella’s death was just so sudden, that was all. Sean was just in shock.
She hurried over, bending to help him up. “Exactly, Sean. You never loved Bella. She’s gone, it’s over.”
“You’re breaking my heart, seeing you like this.”
Something in her words snapped something in Sean. He jerked his head up and shoved her away, sending her sprawling.
“Get out!”
His brothers rushed to help Calista, staring at Sean in confusion. “Sean, what’s your problem?“}
Sean just glared at them, voice rough. “Out. All of you.”
He slammed the door behind them, shutting out the world.
Alone, Sean dropped to his knees, clutching Bella’s urn tight, a raw, wounded sound tearing from his throat.!
“Bella…”
