The burning liquor that would usually choke a person felt like plain water this time, as George River revelled in the searing pain.
It was as if only this feeling could blur the glaring sight before him.
"Hannah Winter." He pronounced each syllable deliberately, as if he used all his strength to voice the name.
His body trembled, his hands clenched into fists, knuckles white, veins on the backs of his hands bulging, and the smile on his lips laced with sourness and agony.
He had never imagined that he would be the one tormented by his feelings for Hannah.
They were once so close to each other...
They even had a "home" together.
"George, I've made dinner, can you... come back?"
That soft tone of voice seemed to overlap with the one from not far away.
Only, she was beside another man now, her tender words were given only to him.
*