"But have you ever considered-maybe she''s just been waiting for you to really choose her all along?"

    "If she wanted to ruin everything, she could''ve posted pictures of you two together online, torched your reputation and Ms. Sanford''s. But she didn''t. She protected the both of you. She protected your dignity."

    "So please, Rupert. Let her go."

    The room fell into a heavy, endless silence.

    Rupert stepped back, almost swallowed by the room''s darkness. He stoodpletely still, as if fighting something deep inside.

    No one else could see the way his eyes glistened red at the corners, emotion shimmering in his usually cold gaze.

    "Why should I let her go?" His voice was raw.

    "I just want one person. Just one. Why can''t I have that?"

    Chris noticed something was wrong and stepped in, almost catching a fist that Rupert swung in blind anger.

    He quickly grabbed Rupert''s arm and called over his shoulder, "Orson, help me out-don''t let him tear his stitches again!"

    Orson came up behind Rupert and held him firmly. Chris didn''t hesitate—he administered a calming shot.

    A momentter, Rupert slumped, unconscious.

    Orson eased him onto the bed, then looked at Chris, guilt and concern written all

    over his face. "There''s really nothing else we can do?"

    Chris shook his head. "Not without hurting them both."

    Orson frowned. "He''s trapped, Chris. He never had control."

    Chris just sighed. "Let''s give him some rest."

    The two men left the hospital room.

    In sleep, Rupert''s body felt like it was falling-faster and faster-until the acrid

    scent of burning wood filled his nose.

    He jerked awake. mes devoured the old mansion in front of him.

    This time, he could see the woman trapped inside the inferno.

    Sylvia.

    She was clutching something pink—a small urn.

    The fire roared higher, licking at her dress, but she didn''t move. She didn''t even flinch.

    "Sylvia! Get out! Get out of there!" Rupert screamed, running toward the ze with everything he had.

    The house seemed close, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t reach her.

    Suddenly, Sylvia looked up at him. Her eyes were empty, full of sorrow.

    "Rupert, I hate you."

    Her words were swallowed by the crashing of burning beams.

    "No! Sylviat he shouted, face

    illuminated by the fire as he tried et

    desperately to get through, but it

    useless. Content belo

    was

    Then, a small hand slipped into his.

    A little girl looked up at him, then turned to watch the burning house.

    "Daddy," she said softly, "I don''t me you. But I can''t forgive you either."

    "I just wanted to protect you both," Rupert blurted, not even sure why.

    The girl squeezed his hand. Her silhouette flickered, insubstantial in the firelight.

    "But you''re the one who hurt us," she whispered sadly.

    "Why couldn''t the three of us ever be a proper family?"

    "Why did loving her mean breaking her wings?"

    "Why couldn''t we ever see your love?"

    Rupert''s chest ached. He opened his mouth, but no words came.

    The fire faded. Rain began to fall, thin and cold. The girl''s shape grew even fainter in the mist.

    She let go of Rupert''s hand and stepped forward.

    Ahead, the scene sharpened: a broken man knelt in the rain, his back to Rupert, head bowed.

    Rupert felt himself pulled forward,

    unable to stop. He realized, with set

    that he was now the meet

    kneeling in the mud.

    Rainwater dripped from his hair onto a pair of white lilies lying on the ground.

    "Daddy," the little girl''s voice echoed, tions. Your n worked bad people got what

    "Content belong

    "But, Daddy... Mom and I are gone too."

    Rupert slowly looked up. What he saw tore him apart—a pain like hands crushing

    his heart.

    Two small gravestones stood before him.

    Beloved wife, Sylvia.

    Beloved daughter, Ste Garcia.