Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) by Rissa Blakeley Page A

all reality, I did have a headache. But as the saying goes, “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. I didn’t want her to see there was nothing left of me.
    I groaned as she continued to play with my hair. “Am I bothering you?”
    “No. You could never bother me.”
    “I need to be honest with you.”
    “Of course, love.”
    She inhaled deep, then exhaled slow and steady, trying to put together the sentences. “I’m struggling with us, Henry.”
    “I know. You’ve made that perfectly clear.” I reached up and she gave me her hand.
    “This has worn me thin.” Elaina’s voice broke. Jesus Christ, I made her cry again. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore. It’s been going on far too long.”
    For a moment, I wondered if those were her last words to me as a couple. It was understandable if she wanted to walk away. As she already knew, I would fight and wouldn’t go away quietly. I could say one thing, though. I could never love another like I did her. She gave me her entire self and what did I give her?
    Nothing but pain, lies, sorrow, and disease.
    The tears came on fast and hard from both of us. “I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. But it was never my intention to hurt you. And I will fight to the very end to keep you. I love you so much. I want to right this and fix us.” She wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. “Don’t give up on us. I know I’ve fucked this…us…up so badly. I’m so sorry.” My voice broke, drawing out more sorrow. The sobs could no longer be contained. “Love…come here.” I needed her close to me, as much as she needed the same from me. While pulling her into my arms, Elaina’s entire body was rendered useless from her cries. “Please, love. Please. Bear with me,” I murmured in her ear.
    Elaina rested her head on my chest and I wrapped my arms around her body, holding onto her. At one time, she felt secure in my arms. Not anymore. I had failed her miserably, but I wanted to bring that back to her again. I needed it for myself.
    “I’m so sorry I’m doing this to you,” I said as we cried together, unsure if we would be able to repair our situation.
    “I shouldn’t have said any of this to you right now. It may set back your recovery.” She pushed away from me, crushing me further.
    I was losing her.
    There was knock on the door. I swear, the next person to knock was going to get their hands cut off. Elaina got up, wiping her face and nose on her forearm. She was pretty much an etiquette nightmare, but that’s one of the many reasons I loved her. She was less than perfect, like me, which made her perfect for me.
    Shaking every step of the way, she opened the door. Gunther. I was livid, but tried to hide it. I had a suspicion he was trying to win her and take her away from me.
    He cocked his head to the side and had a look of concern on his face. Back off, motherfucker. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes. Yes. Please, come in,” she murmured.
    I wanted to scream No ! at the top of my lungs.
    “Are you sure?” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Did anything happen?”
    “No. I just… Well, you know…”
    “Give it time. He’ll eventually become the man you used to know.” I glared as he smiled and wiped away the tear trickling down her cheek. It was bloody difficult to stifle my growl. If I could’ve moved fast enough, I would’ve decked the bastard. “Listen, I need to speak with him about sleeping arrangements.”
    “Right.” She cleared her throat and turned around as I managed to sit up.
    According to her body language and the fear across her face, she was concerned I witnessed their interaction. I was throwing daggers from my eyes. Fuck daggers—swords. I was throwing swords from my eyes.
    Not wanting to appear weak, I spoke with sharp and precise words, regardless of the physical pain I knew they would cause me. “Elaina, there are three rooms left in this hall. Gather Nick and Thomas to carry mats