All Chapters of To Hate, To Love, And To Wed: Chapter 101

Silence strangles us. The smell of antiseptic and medicine and sterile environment fills my lungs. But most of all, it’s Michael’s scent that makes it all bearable—these walls, this brightness, this loss… Michael makes it bearable.I’m tucked into his chest, with his arms firm around my waist, holding me like I’m the only thing keeping him from shattering. Even then, I know he’s shattering.His body is shaking. His throat is vibrating. And yet he’s silent. He’s keeping the pain inside, all for my sake.I don’t need him to hide the tears from me.Perhaps it’s not just the tears that he’s struggling to hide. Maybe it’s also the shame, the self-loathe and blame, because he believes he’s the reason I’m going through this. He’s inadequate.He failed me.That is not what I believe. Not in the slightest. “Michael…” I murmur into his chest, nestling deeper into the heart hammering erratically.“Hmm,” he hums, fingers spearing through my hair.“You don’t intend to be silent all day, do you?