287

MAXINE

I didn't feel anything. No pain from a stab whatsoever. I looked between us and that's when Ronan smiled. His lips were close to my ear and he whispered, “I would never hurt you on purpose, love.”

I didn't know when I screamed.

Ronan collapsed into my arms, taking the both of us down to the ground with him. I tried my best to hold his head up on my lap. My eyes traveled down to the blood pouring down the stab wound in his belly.

“Ronan,” I called, tears filling my eyes and rolling down my cheeks. He had stabbed himself.

My hand shook as it hovered over the wound. I didn't know what to do. The dagger was in his chest.

Ronan had chosen death. Death over a life without me.

“Maxine…” he called, his voice unnaturally calm for someone who was dying. He reached up to touch me and I guided his hand to my cheek.

“I'm here, I'm here,” I cried. “I'm sorry,” I whispered the last part. My hands shook as I held him. I never wanted this. I didn’t want him to die.

Ronan gasped. He looked up