Worse than death (1)

Neven saw Vera recede and reach the sofa, fall onto it and nestle like a cat. She turned her back to him and hugged herself before starting to sob.

He was as shocked as not to react for a long second. Maybe two.

What was going on?

But then, he realised he couldn't just let his wife suffer like that. For whatever reason in the world.

«Vera?» he called her. «Shall we go to the hospital?»

She moaned but shook her head, tears flowing down her tears. It was something the agency did. Definitely. Even just the thought made him angry even more.

He sat on the couch, next to her, looking for a way to help her.

Meanwhile, Vera tried breathing but it was so difficult. The pain made it impossible. Even something as simple as an impossible mission. How could she hope to think clearly, like that?

She wanted to tell Neven to go away, to disappear. But she couldn't talk. All she could do was nod or shake her head.