Chapter 38: The Devastation of Remembering
Justin freezes.
So does Cristoff.
Tristana drops to her knees, clutching her head.
"I remember…" she sobs.
The words hang in the air like a death sentence.
Justin's chest tightens painfully.
"Tristana…"
She looks up at him.
And this time—
She knows him.
Really knows him.
And it's worse.
So much worse.
Because now she remembers everything she lost.
Everything she was forced to destroy.
Everything she can never get back.
"I loved you," she whispers.
His breath breaks.
"I know."
Tears stream down her face.
"But I don't feel it anymore," she chokes. "I remember loving you—but it's gone."
The words hit harder than the rejection ever did.
Because this time—
It's permanent.