Izzy sat by him, looking away, looking anywhere but him. She twirled a rose, absentmindedly pricking her thumb on the thorn. The silence was tangible.
She sighed, head falling into her hands. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I just….I just felt like you deserved something better than me, and this life. You were always meant for something more. I didn’t want to be the one to keep you. I didn’t-”
Her voice broke, and was overcome by anguish.
“I never meant to hurt you like that. I lied when I said I didn’t love you. I lied because I didn’t deserve you. But I loved you, Charlie. I loved you so, so much and you could never know.”
Her heart spilled out in a torrent of tears and words. Izzy sat weeping for a moment, trying to gain some control. When she had finally composed herself she stood, straightening her coat. She spoke softly, barely above a whisper.
“I guess it’s too late now. You’re never coming back.”
She tossed the rose onto his coffin, tucked her hands into her coat pockets, and walked back to the car.