Anticipating the little princess

eric lowered his head and gently took her soft, porcelain-like hand. "ella, i'm sorry… i've been such a coward these past few days. i left you alone…"

 

ella shook her head, cutting him off. "everyone has moments of confusion and despair. it's okay. as long as you're better now, that's all that matters. but this time, we really have to thank dorian. if he hadn't gotten sick… the four of us might have…"

 

she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. her eyes reddened.

 

she remembered the mother and son she had seen at the airport while waiting for the flight. the woman had been stunning, and her little boy, around four or five years old, had looked just like a tiny prince—so adorable. but after the crash… they were gone in an instant.

 

it felt as if something had hollowed out her heart. even though they weren't her friends or family, they had been real, living people, with loved ones waiting for them.