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“That’s the very last thing I want to do” I cringe into a pained wince “I don’t want to erase anything we had froet you—even if it kills me”

She threads her hands onto her head, like she’s co off a marathon

“I just don’t want anyone to know,” I say strongly “That’s it I’ to protect you”

“By hurting yourself,” she snaps back “By hurting me and Banks”

“It’s temporary,” I try to convince myself

“What is?”

“The pain”

She shakes her head and wipes at her face “And here I fucking thought ed your mind”

I haven’t

I won’t

She deserves to live her life without being a public spectacle To wake up and be able to breathe and not be suffocated by the world I can give her that

I s hard and nod towards the door “Is he back there?”

She follows etting an MRI”

Without hesitation, I walk forward and take a seat in the waiting roo on

Sulli frowns down at ?”

I rub ht” Off her snort of disbelief, I try not to s”

“Sure” Sulli lowers into her chair “Whatever you say, Kits”

Tension piles between us in the unbearable silence I lean back and glance over at Sulli lares at the ground

I’ into tear them down

“How have you been?” I ask

Her eyes flit toinstantly “Miserable Just like Banks” She studies my face “You?”

I think about lying

I can be cruel But not that cruel

Sliding ain”

She rotates izes

Neither of us h my lips As her eyes well, I’m certain she can see how much pain I’m in

I choke out, “You don’t have to be sorry”