Chapter 49

Blaze flicked his gaze back and forth between the road ahead of him and the lifeless body of Juliette curled up on his passenger seat. She faced away from him, her gaze past the water droplets strolling down the window from the instantaneous rain. The sound emphasising the silence they were both faced with.

Juliette knew she was awake, she felt it but she didn't want to feel, her mind an endless void of darkness. She knew she felt cold but it didn't bother her. In fact she welcomed it; she wanted it to intensify-anything to numb the pain on the inside.

She hadn't the man she loved or his baby. Her existence seeming to mean less and less. Words rung in her head, words she would never forget. She's a barren wasteland.

Juliette swallowed, he was right. Her mother was right. She couldn't accomplish the one thing that would define her womanhood. It wasn't fair! It just wasn't! Why did she conceive only to have her dreams dashed by fate?

Blaze saw the single trail of movement as he passed a street light. The flicker of brightness illuminating the glistening tear. It rolled down uninterrupted. It was almost as if she hadn't known it was there. Her state worried him, she was unresponsive, she was here physically of course...mentally and emotionally she was worlds away. Blaze wanted to take her in his arms; he wanted to provide that comfort.

Blaze pulled up in front of his house, the garage door easing open, he parked the car in the sheltered area. He was about to carry Juliette home but her state frightened him. He couldn't leave her alone. He wouldn't dare. He looked in her direction expecting some sort of protest but she hadn't changed her position. She still hugged herself, her eyes glued to the window.

Blaze walked around the car and opened her door. He helped her up and carried her to the side door leading to the inside of his house. Before he had the chance to open it, it pushed open and his housekeeper appeared.

Mrs Woodly lived in a house on his estate but while he was out she would see to the house. Her experienced grey eyes grew dark with curiosity but she murmured not a word.

Blaze helped a distraught Juliette to his room which meant he had to climb the never ending stairs in panic that she may lose balance. He tried to be extra careful. He settled her in his bed and noted that she still hadn't changed behaviour. Juliette continued to stare off into lands unknown; he desperately wanted to know what she was thinking about. Maybe he might be able to break the spell.

His muscles in his neck and shoulders tight, the tension building. He didn't know how to fix it! What should he do?

Blaze loosened the tie from around his neck. Going to see Juliette was an impromptu decision and he went directly from work. So he felt immensely over dressed for depression. He followed the line to his door. He would change in another room, give her privacy.

"Are you leaving?"

Blaze stilled as if an external force held him back. He hardly recognised her voice it was strained, hoarse and damaged. He rotated slowly, his eyes meeting hers.

"Please don't let me stay alone." Her voice cracked and her eyes brimmed with the evidence of her sorrow.

Blaze could just stare; he'd never thought in all his years that he would ever see Juliette in such a state where she didn't have control.

"I just...I-I can't stay." Her breathing accelerated with every word she breathed. Her eyes shut and her forehead creased. "I-I c-can't br-breath." She confessed. Her hands clutching her clothes.

"I n-need it off. Just get it off!" She yanked at her clothing.