Chapter Seven

Denial

Sebastian

I cannot bring myself to leave my room for two more days, keeping myself in the bubble of our room surrounded by our things, by her things.

I imagine her in the rocking chair in the corner, staring at me as I lay on her side of the bed, smelling her robe that's quickly losing its scent, our eyes connecting as I talk into the air.

"I love you, darling," I'd tell her, but she does nothing but stare at me in silence as if she's suddenly mute and unable to communicate.

I can see her on the toilet as I shower, something she had no shame in doing each morning, and again, I enlighten her of my love for her because the constant need begs for me to do so.

I can even hear her call my name when my eyes are closed, her soft voice surrounding me like a concert, pulling at my insides as I will it to be real.

She's very much still in this room, and I fear if I leave for even a moment, perhaps she might disappear, that she'll leave me for good, and I cannot fathom a world without h