Jake didn’t know why he was being so harsh to her recently, she hadn’t done anything wrong but he had been so stressed from work recently. That night he was especially angry, not at anything in particular just in general.

One of their friends was throwing a party to celebrate their engagement so they had to go. The drive there was quiet and she had kept trying to lighten the mood by going on mini-rants. Jake lost his patience and snapped, “Is there a point to this or are you just being annoying?”

She shrunk into the passenger seat and leaned her head against the window, “I’m sorry I just wanted to lighten the mood a little.” They went back and forth for a while and it got intense.

Suddenly her eyes widened, “Jake there’s a car!” Jake’s eyes widened as he tried to swerve and get out of the way but it was too late.

Tires screeched. Metal crunched. Then it was silent.

Jake’s head was pounding, his vision was blurry as he blinked against the sting of blood trickling from his forehead. The airbag had knocked the breath out of him, but he was alive. He was fine.

But then he saw her. Her head was at a sickening angle, her body limp in the passenger seat. There was blood pouring from a gash near her hairline. Her chest rose and fell, but her eyes remained closed.

“Fuck. No no no.” He said as he unbuckled himself and reached for her, “Wake up. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have fought with you. Please.”

She didn’t move.

Panic gripped Jake’s heart. He cupped her face, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. “Baby please, Open your eyes. I’m so sorry.”

But she didn’t hear him.

That was the worst part.