Chapter 103

Jaden

Gemma’s parents arrived in a frenzy, their faces contorted with grief and anger. I could see the pain in their eyes as I tried to explain myself, but my words fell on deaf ears. Their daughter was gone, and it was my fault. I hugged Stacey tightly, feeling the disapproving glares from Gemma’s parents as I carried her out of the hospital room. She clung to me, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist as her tears staining my black t-shirt as she buried her face in my chest. My heart ached for all of us in this moment of unimaginable loss. Guilt and sadness on my shoulders, knowing that Gemma’s death was partly my fault.

I didn’t care; I left them all to it. I knew Hunter and Pax would follow me, but I just needed to make sure that my pumpkin was alright before I dealt with any more of this. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered into her ear as she clung to me. I found an empty room and sat down on the bed and gently rocked her back and forth. I rocked her, soothing my hand down her back, e