“You found her?”
It was a shout, a shout filled with sheer agony and it felt like it tore apart her ears and her heart.
She instantly dropped to a knee and grabbed Jason’s hands as she heard quick footfalls on the stairs.
“Jason, listen to me, it was a long time ago,” she whispered urgently.
“You found her,” Jason repeated and Isabella felt Prentice with them but her eyes were riveted on his son.
“A long time ago, Jason.”
“Your Mum’s dead, like mine.”
She scooted closer, squeezing his hands and whispered, “Honey.”
He shook his hands free but he didn’t run away.
He threw his body into hers, nearly taking her off-balance and his arms closed around her so tight it hurt.
It didn’t hurt her body. It hurt her heart.
Isabella gathered him close.
“You know how it feels,” he mumbled into her neck, his voice thick with unshed tears.
She melted into his ten year old grieving boy’s arms.
“I know how it feels, sweetheart,” she whispered, her hands moving on his back.
“You know how it feels,” he repeated.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Jace, come here, mate,” Prentice said gently from close and Isabella could feel a soft tug pulling Jason’s body from her arms but Jason stayed fix and the tugging stopped.
“Does it still hurt?” Jason asked and Isabella closed her eyes, stopped stroking his back and held onto the boy even tighter.
What she didn’t do was answer.
Jason pulled a little bit away and looked in her eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, he muttered, “It still hurts.”
She should lie. It would make it easier at that moment for both of them.
But he’d eventually know she lied and she didn’t want Jason Cameron to think she was a liar.
Ever.
So she didn’t lie.
Instead, Isabella put her hands to either side of his head, leaned in close and said quietly, “I’m sorry, Jason, but yes, it still hurts.”
He swallowed.
Then he nodded.
Then he pulled away, turned and walked to his room.