From Ashes: A Second Chance

epared was the most unnerving t

el by the window, the afternoon light spilling across the pristine white canvas. Sh

ut they were filled with a chilling purpose. She was tr

the edge of the bed, the canvas within a

eady,"

screamed at him to throw it away, to beg for her forgiveness, to end this madness. But her cold,

by the bed, and pressed the

felt the faint, steady pulse beneath it. His hea

spered, her voic

s eyes and p

up, forming a perfect, crimson droplet that slid d

llowed. An

hard he had to pull away, a str

her expression one of intense concentration. She dipped her

ke was a deep,

ere the soft swish of the brush and the faint, rhythmic drip of blood from

bstract swirl of grief. It was a face. A baby' s face, sleeping peacefully. But its eyes wer

een of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her hand, the one

tinued to weep blood. Th

inic finally choked out, his

pain, all her betrayal, all her shattered love onto that canvas

. The last stroke was complete.

shed work, a bitter sm

, airy whisper. "A blessing for you

head, and she crumpled forward,

ore she hit the floor. Her body was l

ed down on him. This wasn't atonement. This was torture. He had taken her greatest gift, her passio

acking with panic and self-loath

ead lolling against his

he leaned in to he

over, D

e okay, that he was sorry, so profoundly sor

eyes were unfocused, but they found his. She pushed the

you and Julia enjoy your future t

Her head dropped ba

cut was still sluggishly oozing blood

at her still face, her closed eyes, the faint blue ti