I almost choked on that. Before I could even respond, he was gone. Already moving, already boarding the helicopter, like whatever was on that phone mattered more than this moment.
More than me.
The sound of the blades faded into the distance.
And then it was quiet.
I lowered my head slowly and picked up one of the puppies near my feet, holding it close as I crouched down. It bark softly against my palm, warm, alive.
But my chest felt empty. The stray dogs found a home. So why didn’t I?
Something slipped from my finger. It was the ring. My heart sank as I picked it up. He didn’t even notice.
He gave me the wrong one.
The one meant for him. The one that receives. Which meant… The one he took was the one with the chip.
Tracking.
Monitoring.
For a long second, I just stared at it. Then… I pressed the switch.
A voice came through almost immediately.
“I’m sorry, honey… I didn’t want to get like this,” Shannon’s voice trembled, “But I’ve been locked here for four years, I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
My fingers tightened.
“You don’t have to worry about me,” she continued, trying to sound strong. “It’s your seventh anniversary with Miss McKellar today. Go be with her. I’ll be fine. I mean… we made it through four years already, right?”
Silence for a second.
Then his voice.
“Don’t talk bullshit,” Felix said, sharp but controlled. “You think I’d leave you like this? You’re sick. I’m your man. I take care of you, no matter what day it is.”
My heart cracked.
“I don’t care if it’s a damn anniversary or a meeting or whatever,” he continued, softer now. “You come first when you’re like this. We’ll go out, get some air. Clear your head.”
“Really?” Shannon gasped, her voice lighting up. “I can leave? I’m not dreaming, right?”
Felix let out a quiet breath, almost amused. “Since when do I lie to you? Get ready. We’re leaving now.”
And then the sound of the helicopter.
Loud. Familiar.
Carrying her away.
Again.
…
Four years ago, when I had just lost my right hand and the pain was so bad I couldn’t even breathe, Felix stayed with me the whole time. He didn’t sleep, didn’t eat properly, just stayed there like if he let go for even a second, I’d break.
One night, he dragged me out of bed and carried me straight to a helicopter. I remember clinging to him, weak, barely holding on, and he just held me tighter like I was something fragile.
When we were high up in the sky, he tilted my face toward the window.