Chapter 27

My days with Pierce had grown sweeter, and everyone was eagerly waiting for his surgery and recovery. But just two days before the operation, something terrible happened.

When I woke up that morning, the familiar warmth of his embrace and kiss was missing. I shot up, suddenly wide awake, and turned to find the bed beside me rumpled, but empty.

Getting out of bed, I called out hesitantly, "Pierce?"

A wave of dread washed over me, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from my chest.

The house was eerily quiet, empty.

Suddenly, my foot bumped into something.

Panic gripped me.

When I saw Pierce collapsed near the bathroom door, my heart plummeted.

I quickly dialed the family doctor and frantically called Grace, who had gone out to buy groceries.

Pierce was now lying in a hospital bed, and the doctor had pulled me out of the room.

As the door to his room closed, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I covered my face, sobbing, tears pouring uncontrollably through my fingers.

Gr