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I gritted my teeth "I don’t want to see him"

Clue shook her head "You need to talk"

"There’s nothing to talk about"

"You need to listen to what he has to say, Zel"

I frowned, pissed at her "Why are you on his side all of a sudden? If I told you what he’s done--"

"Maybe I should tell you what he’s done" Clue grabbed my arm "Zel, he was the one who found this piece of land He was the one who calledthe exclusive use of the fields"

My heart ceased to beat Confusion swirled htly sick He’d meddled He’d contributed to her funeral all without le how that ht it was obvious He loves you"

My eyes widened as a sharp shock travelled through , a bolt of aliveness rehter I couldn’t live in a world of tears and sorrow I belonged with the present and it killedaway fro on without her

"He needs you, mummy Don’t be mad"

I shookof love How could aof unconditional love? He loved Clara I hated that I stabbed a hole in my own conclusions He was capable, and beneath the issues, he was kind and sweet and eager to please

Shit

Fire filledI couldn’t change

Clue scowled, tely, you need to say goodbye End it properly Otherwise it will haunt you And you owe hiainst hiet upset, little fortune cookie I know you’re hurting, but you can’t force Zel to be with someone just because you don’t want her to be alone"

My eyes shot to Ben’s He gave me a small smile I didn’t kno to react I liked that he hadso stupid now Clara was gone?

I wanted to screa reckless I can’t forfeit nant

But I couldn’t I didn’t want to focus on that hiccup yet My thoughts belonged to Clara It was treason to think and make plans without her I couldn’t do it I couldn’t be so heartless and forget her so quickly

Pursing ether, I looked over Ben’s shoulder and flinched

The black spot on the hill stood upright and came toward us I cursed the flutter in er heart I shouldn’t love someone who ran when I needed him most I couldn’t condone his actions I wouldn’t live with a man who couldn’t touch He needed serious help, and I wasn’t the woh

Clue and Ben drifted away, leavingfor Fox to arrive

"Don’t be sad, mummy I don’t like it when you’re sad"

I wished Clara’s voice would stop She sounded so wise Pushing me into solutions I wasn’t ready to accept I wanted to be sad I wanted to cry I wanted her to come back to life so I could pretend the world was perfect and never cruel

He stopped a foot away, grey-white eyes as bleak as any snowstoroodbye to her"

I stayed silent, not trusting

He moved forward a step "Zel I’m so unbelievably sorry I can’t ever express how much I wish I could rewind ti occasionally with grief "I know you’ll never forgive me, but I had to see you Had to talk to you and explain"