UNTIL THE LAST BREATH

His heartbeat was racing, louder than ever. He pushed the door open suddenly, but even the sound of it didn't make her turn around. She didn't look at him once. Seeing her like that filled him with a strange kind of fear, something he had never felt in his entire life.

Without a word, he walked straight to her and gently pulled the shawl from her shoulders. She didn't react, didn't move. He looked at her face, and then, without a moment's hesitation, unzipped the side of her dress just enough to see what his mind already dreaded.

His eyes widened in shock, these scars telling the story of her torture. For a second, time stopped. Then he shut his eyes tightly, the truth too painful to bear, and pulled her into his arms as if trying to hide her from the whole world. His hands trembled, his breath came unevenly, but there were no words, only silence, heavy and breaking. A tear slipped from his eye, and with a deep, shaking breath, he whispered the only word his heart could form.

"Meher."