Chapter 2

"Why is your attachment unresolved?" a voice asked.

I turned. It was the guide.

I asked him when I could leave.

"That depends on you," he said, granting me the ability to leave Liam's side for a while each day. "Perhaps the truth will set you free."

Since that night, Liam seemed normal on the surface. He worked, came home, ate dinner.

But I knew he was mad.

He slept in our bed, tucking in the empty space beside him. "Goodnight, Shannon."

Leaving the house: "Shannon, I'm heading out."

Returning home: "Shannon, I'm back."

At meals, he set two places, piling food onto the empty plate. "Shannon, eat more, you love this."

But Shannon was dead. And I didn't love that food anymore.

He came home late today, with Stella following him.

She had ambushed him at work, desperate to talk.

He finally brought her home.

"What do you want?" he asked, his eyes empty.

"Liam, don't you love me anymore? Were your promises lies?"

Liam was moved. His hollow eyes flickered.

I sneered. I knew his so-called devotion was just self-delusion.

In the end, he held her as he cried, and she comforted him.

"I'm sorry," he said, kissing her forehead. "I'm in a bad place. Can you wait?"

"Is it because of her?"

He nodded. "I can't believe she's gone. We were together seven years. I just... need time."

"I understand. I'll wait. We've waited so long already." She smiled through tears.

Her understanding seemed to pain him. They held each other for a long time before he sent her home.

"Shannon... you won't blame me, will you?" he said to the air afterward, full of remorse.

Disgusting. Hypocritical and nauseating.