The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 83

The hatred in his eyes was impossible to miss. He lunged without warning, fingers clamping around Petty’s neck, squeezing tighter and tighter.

Tears streaked down his face as he held her up, his voice shaking with anger. “You people have always had it easy. You grew up with choices, with everything handed to you. Why couldn’t you give Melissa and me a chance? Why was it so hard for us?”

He had been so close. Just one step away from saving Melissa.

“You think…” Petty tried to speak, her thin body dangling in the air as he cut off her breath. She clawed at his hand, her eyes shining with tears. “You think I’m lucky? At least you had Melissa. At least you were loved. My life isn’t even as good as a stray dog’s.”

She looked so fragile, as if the wind could break her in half.

Franco’s fists were clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. There was a cold, dangerous energy radiating from him that made the air feel sharp.

Worse than a dog… The words echoed for a moment.

Harris glanced at Franco, his face tight with worry.

But they couldn’t do anything. Not yet.

Earlier, Petty had shot them a look, a warning. Now they understood: the man had brought her here as a hostage, ready to die and take her with him.

If Harris had known this would happen, he never would have let her out of his sight. He would have walked her right to her door. But it was too late for that now.

Petty’s voice faded, barely more than a whisper. “I know what it’s like… to lose someone you love…”

“What do you know?” he spat. “People like you, you don’t know anything about love. You’ve never really loved anyone. You can’t possibly understand what it’s like to lose someone like Melissa.”

The wind whipped at her pale face.

A single tear slipped down, caught by the cold breeze, landing on the back of his hand. He froze.

For a second, he saw the same heartbreak in Petty’s eyes that Melissa had shown him before she died.

His grip faltered, but then he squeezed harder.

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