Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 109

Garrison made it obvious what he wanted. To him, Claire was already family—my future sister-in-law. He was really getting ahead of himself, picturing their whole life together before the wedding was even real.

I squeezed his hand a little tighter and gave him a smile.

“You two aren’t married yet. Maybe you should slow down and wait until you actually make it down the aisle before you start dreaming about the future.”

Garrison understood exactly what I was getting at. He just grinned.

“Alright. We’ll see.”

He put on this cool, laid-back front like nothing could bother him. Claire jumped in before either of us could say more.

“Okay, you apologized. Now go, let Garrison rest.”

I let go of Garrison’s hand and walked out of the hospital room. Standing in the hallway, I could hear Claire inside, fussing over him with that gentle, caring tone. The way she spoke sounded so normal, so easy—something I’d never have again. I glanced down at my own legs, the way my shorts looked on me almost comical, like my whole situation was some kind of joke.

The woman I once loved with everything I had was marrying my brother—a guy who’d stop at nothing to ruin me. The person I still dreamed about every night was about to become someone else’s bride.

It hurt more than swallowing a thousand needles.

I guess I’m a coward.

I can’t let her go, but I don’t have the guts to fight for her, either. I could have told her the truth, but the words just wouldn’t come out. With the state I’m in, what right do I have to talk about love? What could I possibly offer or protect?

Resigned. Helpless. Stuck. In so much pain.

All these feelings tangled together until it felt like my heart was being ripped apart.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify