Jessica's POV
"What exactly does that mean, Jessica?" Paisley's voice carried a gentleness that made my chest tighten. "When you say 'for as long as it takes,' that could stretch across your entire lifetime. Are you truly prepared to sacrifice your own happiness and let guilt consume you completely?"
My body collapsed into the chair as if someone had cut my strings. I pressed my palms against my face, feeling the familiar crushing sensation settle over my ribcage like a lead blanket.
"There's no other option for me," I breathed out, my words barely audible and fractured at the edges.
"What makes you believe that?"
"Because someone died because of me," I stated flatly, each word adding another stone to the burden already threatening to suffocate me. "I survived when I shouldn't have, so this weight is mine to bear. Since fate decided I should keep breathing, then I have to drag this guilt with me until my last breath."
