"I will always love you," Gérard murmured against her ear, his voice low and unsteady.
Charlotte clung to him as though he were the only thing anchoring her to the world.
"I love you too," she whispered back, her voice trembling. Her heart pounded so violently in her chest it felt as if it might shatter through her ribs.
"I'll never forget you," he added, his tone rough.
Each word struck her like a blow.
Her stomach dropped.
"Why are you talking like this?" she asked, panic creeping into her voice. "Why does it sound like you're leaving me?"
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she held on tighter.
He tried to pull away.
She refused to let him go.
But then he caught her wrists gently, firmly and eased her grip off him, creating space between them. His hands settled on her shoulders as he looked straight into her eyes.
"I have to go, princess."
The words broke something inside her.
