"G-gone?" I gasped.
The words profoundly shattered my world, dragging my spirit into the depths of despair.
"T-that's not true! Y-you're lying right!"
He was silent. His lack of words cut deeper than if he had yelled.
"Please, Ace, tell me it's all a mistake. Tell me she's alive. Tell me you're not telling the truth."
Ace inched close, he had the look in his face as though he wanted to take me into his arms. But pity was the last thing I wanted from the man who had hurt me. As he reached out, I recoiled, repulsed by his touch.
Perhaps he caught sight of the fear in my eyes, prompting him to back away. His hands fell to his sides in a gesture of surrender.
"She's gone." He confirmed agonizingly. "The hospital tried to reach you, but they couldn't get through, and they contacted me instead."
This is all a dream! Yes, this is all a dream! I repeated it like a desperate mantra.
