✓ [18+] SACRIFICE

O N E : Q U E E N O F H E A R T S

A/N: Welcome to the first chapter of Sacrifice. What did you think of that prologue? Any guess on who Damien is?

Also in this book, the chapters are much shorter than in Commitment which is why there's so many chapters. Plus the POV is randomized and not every other chapter. Hope you still enjoy it.

Remember to vote and comment on the chapters. Let's me know you're enjoying the story and helps support me as a writer <3

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O N E : Q U E E N  O F  H E A R T S

True love, especially first love, can be so tumultuous and passionate that it feels like a violent journey—Holliday Grainger

D A N T E

"Dad did you see that? I was able to ride further this time before I fell," my son, Joseph, yells excitedly at me as he comes running up to me with his surfboard under his arm.

"Yeah buddy I saw it. You're getting a lot better at it. It looks like all that practice the last few months has helped," I clap his hand in a high-five as he lays his board down and sits next to me, soaking up the warmth of the morning sun.

I look out towards the ocean and let the breeze blow through my hair. I've cut it recently, back to how it was before her. I've kept the facial hair though. It makes me look older, wiser maybe but I keep it trimmed to a stubble so I don't want to look like one of those guys off of Duck Dynasty.

Having my knees up in front of me, arms resting on top, I catch a glimpse of my newest tattoo on my ring finger. It's small, a 'Q' with a heart, for the 'Queen of Hearts.' For the Queen who had and still has my heart.

I know it seems corny and everyone has a tattoo like this for their significant other but I felt like I had to get this. Katarina Fitzgerald was my Queen and she had a hold on my heart and soul, until the very end.

Glancing down at my chest tattoo of my black and grey roses, I spot underneath the blooming bud where I had her name tattooed. I know that's also a big 'no-no' and suppose to be bad luck for your relationship but she's gone now, not much more bad luck can do to compete with that.

I've gotten a few more since then. Joseph's name down my ribcage, opposite of my last name and a cluster of flowers in the empty spots of my shoulders. I used that pain from them to help cope with the pain I was feeling in my heart. It was better than using alcohol or drugs.

I look back out at the horizon, it's morning time still so the sky still has the beautiful shades of red, oranges, and yellows. I've recently became a morning person who looks forward to watching the sunrise and the quietness of the world before everyone else wakes up.

At one time I hated getting up before noon but now, I can understand why Kat loved getting up so early. It's so much more peaceful and has a certain beauty to it.

When I look at the sun I can't help but smile when I think back to when Joseph had said that I looked at her like she was the sun. That Kat brought happiness into my life. She did. She still does, even five months later.

Every time I witness someone doing something selfless and kind, I think of her.

When I watch anime with Joseph, I think of her.