Chapter 119

“I am sorry it took this long to come back,” Stacy whispered softly, her heart aching terribly the more she saw the sullen expression etched upon his face as he gazed incredulously at her. He was finding it so hard to believe that it was truly her.

Tears streamed down Carlton's face as he slowly buried his head in her shoulder, when he could finally comprehend in his head that it was truly her, “I thought I lost you forever, Stace,” he choked out, his voice laced with so much angst, breaking, “Where have you been? I… I searched for you everywhere.”

She sobbed softly, clutching at him with her arms wrapped around his back as if her life depended on it, “I… am so sorry,” she whispered, “I ... .just lost my mind, you know. The truth was too much for me to bear.”

“I am so sorry, Stace,” Carlton's voice was heavy as he apologized, “I am so sorry for making you go through a lot by yourself. Please forgive me,” he implored her deeply.

“I am more sorry, Carlton. I