“Why do you always insist on making this more difficult?” Jace questions. “Why are you even in South Carolina? I don’t know what you were thinking, coming here. Rushing to check on me and acting like I’m all you care about, consequences be damned.”

“Care about? Jace, did you not hear me before? I love y—”

“Don’t.” Jace’s voice cracks through the small room like a whip, sharp and fast. “You don’t get to say that to me now. Not here. Not like this. You said you couldn’t say it and leave before. Don’t say it now.”

“Jace…” I whisper, my voice breaking. My heart feels as though it’s being slowly torn from my chest, bloody and barely beating, as I study his handsome face for what I now know will be the last time.

He’s right. I didn’t think this through. For him. For me. I didn’t think about how reuniting would mean I’d have to say goodbye all over again. Mean I’d know I’m saying goodbye this time.

“Leave,” he demands harshly. Meeting my pained gaze, he softens his voice. “Please, Viv.” I wince at the familiar nickname. “Please, just go.”

I stand and turn around. I rush for the door and fumble with the knob, frantically trying to leave his room before I lose the battle I’m fighting with my tear ducts. I finally open the door, revealing the surprised expression of the nurse about to enter the room. Thomas stands just to the right of the door, staring ahead impassively. I brush past the nurse, ignoring the puzzled look she gives me before walking into Jace’s room.

“Mr. Dawson, your family has arrived…” I hear her say.

Her voice fades as I rush down the busy hallway, not looking or caring to see if Thomas is following me. Every room I pass is crowded with people. I search for anywhere that will allow me a moment to myself.

Finally, I spot a door ahead that reads Stairs. I open it and duck into the silent, empty stairwell. As I turn, I see Thomas has followed me. Thankfully, he remains in the hallway as I close the door. I sit on one of the cold cement steps and press a palm to my mouth. I scream against it for a few moments, trying to expel the swirling mass of pain, panic, anger, and relief currently churning inside me. Then, I start to cry again, releasing heaving sobs that slowly wring the emotion from me further.

When I left Lincoln, I regretted the fact I hadn’t known the last time I saw Jace, it was the last time. It feels like the final in a series of cruel jokes that wish would be fulfilled now, like this.

I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting on the cement when I hear voices on the other side of the door. I stand, taking a few deep breaths and wiping the tears from my face with my fingertips.

I walk over to the door and hear Thomas say, “If you could just take the elevator…” I pull the door open to reveal Thomas standing protectively in front of the doorway, arguing with a couple of white coat-wearing doctors. The two physicians both look at me with surprise when I walk out of the stairwell.