Chapter 111

Josh stood among the tombstones and stared at his wife’s name engraved on a white, shiny plaque.

Shelly Matthews.

The dates of her birth and death were printed below her name.

Such a short life she had lived. She was only 27 when…

He swallowed, unable to finish the thought and looked away, as if to distract himself, as if to collect himself, as if to force the weakness out of his system and do what he was there to do.

When he felt his eyes wouldn’t betray him and he wouldn’t choke on the sorrow tightening around his chest, he shifted his gaze back to her, making a point to take a deep breath.

He opened his mouth to say something, but only air came out.

Why? He wasn’t sure. Maybe he had nothing important to say. Or maybe words would never be enough to tell her what he really wanted her to know.

But what difference would it make even if he poured his heart out?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

For a moment, he imagined himself lying next to her, holding her hands, and tracing the lines of her p