Amidst the darkness that enveloped him, Jamie’s emotions swirled with intensity, threatening to consume him entirely. The weight of his guilt overshadowed any flicker of hope that tried to penetrate his despair. He longed for Claire’s happiness and safety, even if it meant sacrificing his own. It was a painful internal battle, as he grappled with his own perceived failures, torn between the desire to protect the woman he loved and the belief that he was unworthy of her.