ISABELLA

I saw it the moment the light left his eyes, the moment he stopped fighting, and death took him from me.

“No,” I whispered, my voice shaking. I shook him. Once. Twice. He didn't move. His hand remained limp on his side. “Richard, please, no.”

I placed a finger under his nose, but I felt nothing. I leaned down and placed my ear on his chest, but I heard nothing. Not even the faintest beat. I checked his pulse, but felt nothing.

“You can't leave like that,” I said, still shaking him. “You can’t! You said you loved me! You bastard, you said you loved me! So how can...