something about your relationship with Harrison.” “I guess you won’t be together forever after all,” Alistair added making Gemma want to leap across the table and pummel his face until her knuckles bled. “Now if you’re done making a scene.” Penelope cleared her throat. “There should be enough lasagne left over for you in the kitchen. Although, I’d like you to clean up that mess before joining us, please.” Gemma could think of nothing to say. She suddenly knew she was staring at two complete strangers. The thought of being near them for a second longer was repulsive. Without another word she made a beeline for her bedroom. No one chased her. No one called her back. The only remnants of the dining room fiasco she picked up before walking out of hearing was Ruby’s shaky comment. “Well what else did you expect? She was in love with him.” Closing the door behind her, she leaned against the wood and fought for air. She felt like someone had punched through her middle and pulled out a huge chunk of flesh. All that remained now was a jagged hole. Bending over with a cry, she slumped to the floor and crawled towards her bed. Slithering under the covers she buried herself in the dark cocoon and embraced the hollow ache, not even caring if she survived it. Harrison was gone. His family line was broken and so was she.
Chapter Seventeen Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – 2011 AD
Sleep captured Gemma some time in the evening, but it didn’t last. She woke throughout the night forgetting what had happened. A smile would cross her face as she imagined seeing Harrison the next day and then the realization would hit. It was a force so strong her breaths were reduced to short, rapid puffs of air. Her muscles shook and she would curl into a ball trying to counter the ache screaming through her system. “Harrison.” She didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t. Reaching under her pillow she scrambled for the comfort he had gifted her. They had joked about it. She remembered pulling out the old shirt he’d tucked into his waistband and cuddling it against her. He’d rolled his eyes and told her she couldn’t possibly be one of those sappy girls who needed to sleep with her boyfriend’s shirt beneath her pillow. She had held it to her nose and drawn in his scent. “Say goodbye to your shirt, baby.” Her fingers scratched over the empty sheet. Ripping the pillow away, she scrounged around in the dark only to have reality reconfirmed. He was gone. He had never been here. That shirt had never lived under her pillow. Curling into another ball, she pulled the covers over her head. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. But her insides were numb. Instead she closed her eyes and begged for the unconscious bliss of sleep.
Time passed.
There was a knock on her door. Gemma’s eyes popped open. Her muscles tensed. “Gemma? It’s Ruby. I brought you some breakfast. Can I come in?” Still nestled within the safety of her cocoon, Gemma remained silent. She noticed the lightness above her and realized she must accept a new day, but the thought was too painful. Shuffling further down the bed, she held the covers tight over her head. Ruby knocked a few more times then eventually gave in. “I’ll… I’ll just leave it outside your door.”
Time passed.
She woke in a stuffy daze. Flinging back the covers, she sniffed the fresh air and then remembered. Her breaths grew short as panic radiated through her system. “Gemma?” Ruby’s voice was behind the door again. “Sweetie, you really need to eat something. Can I come in?” Gemma flung the covers back over her head and curled into a ball.
Time passed.
“ Gem, come on. Unlock the door. I just want to talk to you.” Ruby again. Gemma pulled the covers away from her face and spotted sunlight. She winced and shook her head.