CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
RYLIE
Patrick begins to untie the silver ropes around my wrists.
I feel a wave of relief just being near him.
"Rylie," he mutters, his voice full of emotion.
"Patrick," I whisper.
I can't believe it.
Is this really happening?
I'm so happy.
"You're okay now," he says. "I'm here. I won't leave you."
The burning silver ropes loosen, and I fall forward into his arms.
Patrick pulls me in close to him. He crushes his lips against mine.
It's like fireworks are going off in my body.
It feels like a million years of separation have been overcome, at last.
"Rylie, my beautiful Rylie, I thought I'd never see you again," he whispers.
I cling onto him. I can't believe that Patrick is real. That he's really here in front of me. I can't believe he loves me and has come to save me.
"I love you," I say. "I love you so much."
"I love you more than life itself," he replies.
I pull back with a sudden memory. "The letter! The things I said. Patrick, that wasn't me."