Free Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) by Audrina Lane Page A

eyelids. I could feel them starting to seep out, James must have seen them shimmering in the weak light. His finger reached out to my cheek and caught the tears, as if they were precious pearls. He remained silent, waiting for me to speak.
    “I tried to continue with my life, college, hospital radio and friends but nothing seemed worthwhile anymore. I struggled to contain the darkness that leapt out around me, surrounding me with its claws. I suffocated as I tried to present a happy face to the people around me, when inside the crack in my heart continued to bleed”
    “Go on” said James, softly “But if you would rather stop I’ll understand” I could hear that his voice was controlled; he was holding back his own emotions as he listened.
     
    “Then on New Year’s Eve an envelope arrived in the morning and it was addressed to me in your distinctive handwriting. I opened it, believing for a tiny second that you might have had second thoughts, changed your mind about us. Inside I found the invitation to your wedding and your St Christopher. At that moment my heart splintered like the mirror I later broke. I couldn’t stop it, my life from that point held no hope” I was sobbing desperately as he enfolded me into his arms once more. My tears fell on his warm skin as the sobs shook my body.
    “I had promised my friends that I would go out and party so that’s what I did. I never mentioned the invitation to anyone, just hid it under my pillow until I had the strength to deal with it.”
     
    Pausing I remembered the night so vividly, the sights and sounds of the club, finally the way that Mark had looked at me when he held me close for the slow songs. I had seen the love there in his eyes it sparkled brightly as my eyes had once done.
    “After midnight they played the slow songs and Mark asked me to dance as we were the only single people in our group of friends. Then “Take my Breath Away” started to play and I looked up and started to tremble as I knew that I was never going to get over my feelings for you. Mark must have misunderstood as he tried to kiss me and that’s when I ran” I was struggling to get the words out so James found a glass and filled it with water for me. The cool liquid calmed my sore throat and I put the glass down and leant back against James’ solid chest.
     
    He wrapped his arms around me and held me secure.
    “Are you ready to continue or would you rather leave it for another time” he asked.
    “I think I need to finish this now, it might make me start to feel better about myself” He dropped a kiss onto the top of my head.
    “When I got home I kind of knew what I needed to do, I needed to rid myself of the darkness that was consuming me from the inside out. I did ring your home number but no one answered so I filled the bath, drank vodka, broke my mirror and cut my wrists with one of the shards. I remember putting your St Christopher on along with a shirt of yours that you had left at my place. I ripped up the invitation and then climbed into the warm water of the bath, I saw you waiting for me as I closed my eyes.” I said, my voice petering out. I turned round and sought out his lips and the feel of his mouth on mine eased the dark thoughts away.
     
    “I don’t really remember much then until I came round in the hospital. Sarah, Chris and Mark found and rescued me apparently it was a close thing as I had almost drifted away. I have a lot to thank them for although at the time I didn’t feel like that at all. I still felt helpless, desolate and alone but Mark prescribed me anti-depressants and I somehow managed to carry on. I never finished college instead I continued work at the hospital on the radio and sort of drifted into a relationship with Mark.” I said. Closing my eyes again I felt tears of shame burning on my cheeks now.
    “I never loved him; I tried to pretend that I did. He was so good to me, so kind and gentle and he already knew about my past so I