Her face tightens with pain, and a broken sob drifts over her lips, like a forlorn wind howling over a vast empty space. I hold her gingerly against me, pressing another kiss to her forehead. Then she chokes, “D-d-don’t.” Her eyes remain closed, and I realize she’s refusing to look at me. My own shuts against the unbearable ache it causes to rupture in my chest. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper again.
