Blinks and Goodbyes

Tyler, a battle-hardened Marine, sits in his truck, haunted by memories of Delphine, the woman who was his home. He reflects on the difference between living life and life happening to you, realizing that the hardest moments are out of our control. Delphine's death from cancer has left him adrift, unable to breathe deeply since her last breath. Their love was a sanctuary built from shared darkness, a home against all odds. Now, Tyler is left with only memories, forced to blink away the pain and face a future without her. The story begins with loss, but also with the promise of remembering every precious moment that brought them together.

Childhoods Stolen, Futures Forged

Delphine's childhood in France is marked by violence, neglect, and betrayal. Her father, Matis, is a drug-addicted informant who gambles her safety for a spoon of heroin. When a violent debt collection turns deadly, Delphine is ripped from her home and sent to distant relatives, her innocence shattered. Meanwhile, in rural North Carolina, Tyler's childhood is filled with family, land, and the weight of generational expectations. Both children are forced to grow up too soon, learning that survival means choosing sides and carrying scars. Their early traumas set them on paths that will one day intersect, forging resilience and a hunger for belonging.

Becoming Soldiers, Becoming Family

Delphine is taken in by her cousin Celine's family, but never truly feels at home. She is a wild spirit, more soldier than girl, and struggles to fit into a world of ruffles and rules. Celine's unwavering kindness is a lifeline, but Delphine's wounds run deep. In America, Tyler learns the cost of responsibility and the meaning of manhood from his father and grandfather. He forms a brotherhood with his cousins and friends, learning that loyalty is earned through action. Both Delphine and Tyler are shaped by the families they find and the ones they lose, preparing them for the battles ahead.

Love, Lies, and Escape

As teenagers, Delphine and Tyler are drawn into worlds of rebellion and risk. Delphine falls for Alain, a charismatic but dangerous activist, and follows him to America, believing in the promise of love and purpose. Tyler, meanwhile, is shaped by the discipline of military life and the chaos of a fractured home. Both are searching for escape—from pain, from the past, from themselves. Their choices are driven by longing and fear, leading them into relationships that both heal and harm. The lies they tell themselves and each other become survival mechanisms, but also barriers to true connection.

Wounds That Never Heal

Delphine's marriage to Alain becomes a nightmare of control, violence, and isolation. She endures physical and psychological torment, her sense of self eroded by trauma. After a brutal attack, she is left with a traumatic brain injury, memory loss, and a haze that numbs her pain but also her hope. Tyler's family is torn apart by his father's infidelity and alcoholism, leaving him angry and adrift. Both are haunted by wounds that never fully heal, struggling to find meaning in suffering. Their paths are marked by cycles of violence and the desperate search for redemption.

The Making of a Warrior

Tyler seeks out Delphine, now his neighbor, for guidance in becoming a true soldier. She trains him in strategy, discipline, and emotional control, drawing on her own hard-won knowledge of survival. Their relationship deepens through shared battles—literal and metaphorical—as they teach each other how to fight, endure, and lead. Delphine finds purpose in mentoring Tyler, while he offers her the unconditional friendship and respect she has always craved. Together, they build a foundation of trust that will be tested by the wars to come, both within and without.

Broken Homes, Broken Hearts

As Tyler's home life deteriorates, he finds solace in Delphine's company. Their bond grows into something dangerous and undeniable, blurring the lines between friendship, mentorship, and desire. Both are terrified of repeating the mistakes of the past, but cannot resist the pull between them. The world around them is full of broken homes and broken hearts—parents who fail, lovers who betray, children who are left to pick up the pieces. In the midst of chaos, Delphine and Tyler become each other's refuge, even as the cost of their connection threatens to consume them.

The Art of Survival

Delphine and Tyler's relationship is defined by the games they play—battles of wit, will, and war. Through their nightly matches of "Battle," they learn to read each other, anticipate moves, and adapt to changing circumstances. These games become metaphors for survival, teaching them how to compartmentalize pain, suppress emotion, and focus on the mission. As Tyler prepares to enlist, Delphine is forced to confront her own fears of abandonment and loss. Both are learning that survival is not just about endurance, but about finding meaning and connection in the midst of struggle.

Training Days and Nightmares

Tyler's time in the Marines and later in covert operations transforms him into a weapon—disciplined, deadly, and detached. He learns to "blink to black," suppressing emotion to survive the horrors of war. Delphine, meanwhile, battles addiction, illness, and the ghosts of her past. Their paths diverge and converge, marked by nightmares, loss, and the relentless pursuit of peace. Both are haunted by what they have done and what has been done to them, struggling to reconcile the warrior within with the wounded child they once were.

The Price of Peace

After years apart, Tyler and Delphine are reunited by fate and necessity. Their love is both a balm and a battlefield, forcing them to confront old wounds and new realities. Delphine's illness brings urgency to their reconciliation, as they race against time to build a life together. Forgiveness becomes both a gift and a demand—of themselves, each other, and those who have hurt them. The price of peace is high, requiring sacrifice, vulnerability, and the willingness to let go of the past. Together, they learn that true healing is found not in forgetting, but in facing the pain and choosing love anyway.

Reunion and Reckoning

As Delphine's health declines, she and Tyler gather their found family for one last season of connection and closure. Secrets are unearthed, apologies made, and old wars finally laid to rest. Delphine confronts the men who betrayed her, forgives those who failed her, and claims her right to happiness. Tyler faces his own reckoning—with his father, his brothers, and himself—learning that strength is found in vulnerability and that leadership means carrying the burdens of others as well as your own. Their reunion is both a celebration and a reckoning, a testament to the power of love to redeem even the most broken souls.

Forgiveness and Fury

In the final months of Delphine's life, she and Tyler create a haven of peace and joy, surrounded by those they love. But the world outside remains full of danger and betrayal, and the wars they have fought leave lasting scars. Forgiveness becomes an act of defiance, a refusal to let pain define the future. Fury is transformed into purpose, as they use their hard-won wisdom to protect and guide the next generation. The lessons of survival, strategy, and love are passed on, ensuring that their legacy will endure even after they are gone.

The Last Safe Place

As Delphine's life draws to a close, she and Tyler savor every moment of their hard-won peace. Their home becomes a sanctuary for others—wounded children, broken men, and lost souls seeking refuge. In the face of death, they choose to celebrate life, creating memories that will outlast the pain. Delphine's final wish is for Tyler to keep living, to find faith, and to carry their love forward. Her death is both an ending and a beginning, a reminder that the safest place is not a house or a body, but the hearts we touch and the love we leave behind.

Heaven, Then War

Tyler is shattered by Delphine's death, left to navigate a world that feels empty and hostile. Grief becomes a new kind of war, one that cannot be won by force or strategy. He is haunted by memories, tormented by what-ifs, and tempted by oblivion. But the legacy of love and resilience that Delphine left behind becomes his anchor, guiding him through the darkness. As new threats emerge and old wounds reopen, Tyler must choose whether to succumb to despair or to keep fighting—for himself, for those he loves, and for the future they dreamed of together.

The Final Battle

In the aftermath of loss, Tyler faces his greatest challenge: learning to live again. He is surrounded by reminders of what he has lost, but also by the people and memories that give his life meaning. Through acts of service, mentorship, and love, he begins to rebuild, honoring Delphine's legacy by choosing hope over despair. The final battle is not against an enemy, but against the temptation to give up. In letting go of the past, Tyler discovers that the safest place is not in holding on, but in opening his heart to new possibilities, new connections, and new dreams.

Characters

Delphine Moreau

Delphine is a woman forged in the fires of trauma—abandoned, abused, and betrayed by those who should have protected her. Her childhood in France is marked by violence and neglect, her adulthood by a marriage to a sadistic man who leaves her with physical and psychological scars. Yet Delphine is also a fighter, a strategist, and a teacher. She finds purpose in mentoring Tyler, passing on the hard-won lessons of survival and resilience. Her relationship with Tyler is both healing and fraught, marked by forbidden desire, deep friendship, and the shared burden of pain. As she faces terminal illness, Delphine's journey becomes one of forgiveness—of herself, of others, and of life itself. Her legacy is one of fierce love, hard-earned wisdom, and the courage to keep fighting even when hope seems lost.

Tyler Jennings

Tyler is shaped by the weight of family legacy, the discipline of military life, and the wounds of a broken home. He is both a leader and a lost boy, searching for belonging and meaning in a world that often feels hostile and chaotic. Tyler's relationship with Delphine is transformative—she teaches him how to fight, how to feel, and how to love without reservation. As a Marine and later a covert operative, Tyler learns to suppress emotion and focus on the mission, but his greatest battles are internal. He is haunted by guilt, grief, and the fear of repeating the mistakes of those who came before him. Tyler's journey is one of learning to forgive, to let go, and to find peace in the memories and connections that endure beyond loss.

Alain Baptiste

Alain is the embodiment of charm turned to poison—a revolutionary with a cause, but also a man consumed by jealousy, control, and violence. He lures Delphine with promises of love and purpose, only to trap her in a cycle of abuse and manipulation. Alain's actions leave Delphine with lasting scars, both physical and emotional, and his legacy is one of destruction. Yet he is also a product of his own traumas and losses, a reminder that hurt people hurt people. Alain's presence haunts Delphine long after he is gone, forcing her to confront the ways in which love can become a lie and a weapon.

Celine Moreau

Celine is the opposite of Delphine in many ways—soft where Delphine is sharp, nurturing where Delphine is guarded. She becomes Delphine's first true family, offering unconditional love and acceptance. Celine's own life is marked by struggle and sacrifice, but she remains a source of hope and stability for those around her. Her death is a turning point for Delphine, plunging her into despair but also planting the seeds of eventual healing. Celine's memory is a guiding force, a reminder of the power of kindness and the importance of chosen family.

Ezekiel (Tobias) King

Ezekiel, known as T, is Delphine's nephew and Tyler's brother-in-arms. He is a man shaped by loss, responsibility, and the weight of expectation. T struggles to balance loyalty to his family with the demands of leadership, often sacrificing his own happiness for the good of others. His relationship with Delphine is complex—marked by love, resentment, and the shared scars of the past. T's journey is one of learning to forgive, to trust, and to accept that strength is found not in control, but in vulnerability and connection.

Sean Roberts

Sean is Tyler's childhood friend and a founding member of their brotherhood. He provides levity and support, but is also deeply affected by the traumas and losses that shape their lives. Sean's journey is one of learning to cope with grief, to find meaning in service, and to accept that healing is a process, not a destination. His loyalty is unwavering, but he must also learn to care for himself and to let others in.

Zach

Zach is a child of neglect and abuse, taken in by Tyler and Delphine as a last act of love and redemption. He is a mirror of Tyler's own wounded childhood, but also a symbol of resilience and possibility. Through the care and mentorship of his new family, Zach learns to trust, to heal, and to dream of a better life. His journey is one of transformation—from victim to survivor, from outsider to beloved son. Zach represents the hope that even the most broken can be made whole through love and belonging.

Carter Jennings

Carter is a man broken by war, addiction, and regret. His failures as a husband and father leave deep scars on Tyler, shaping his fears and his drive to be better. Yet Carter is also a man capable of change, of seeking forgiveness, and of showing up when it matters most. His relationship with Tyler is a testament to the possibility of reconciliation, even after years of pain. Carter's journey is one of learning to accept responsibility, to make amends, and to find peace in the love that endures beyond mistakes.

Ormand

Ormand is Alain's childhood friend and Delphine's confidant, torn between loyalty and desire. His actions—both protective and complicit—play a pivotal role in Delphine's fate. Ormand's inability to act decisively or to tell the truth when it mattered most leaves him burdened by guilt and regret. He is a reminder that inaction can be as damaging as violence, and that forgiveness is sometimes the only way forward.

Layla

Layla is a secondary but vital character—a woman who has survived her own traumas and found strength in community and self-care. She becomes a friend and ally to Delphine, offering support, wisdom, and the reminder that healing is possible. Layla's presence is a testament to the power of female friendship and the importance of caring for oneself as well as others.

Plot Devices

Blinks as Life's Turning Points

The novel is structured around the motif of "blinks"—moments when everything changes, for better or worse. These blinks serve as both literal and metaphorical turning points, marking the transitions between innocence and experience, love and loss, hope and despair. The narrative jumps between past and present, using these blinks to reveal how trauma, choice, and chance shape the characters' destinies. The device underscores the unpredictability of life and the importance of savoring every moment.

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The story alternates between Delphine and Tyler's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their inner worlds, traumas, and growth. This dual narration creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, while also highlighting the ways in which misunderstanding, secrecy, and silence can both protect and harm. The shifting perspectives also allow for dramatic irony, as readers are often privy to truths the characters cannot or will not share with each other.

The Art of War as Metaphor

The language and structure of military strategy permeate the novel, from Delphine's training of Tyler to their nightly games of Battle. War becomes a metaphor for survival, love, and healing—teaching the characters how to compartmentalize pain, anticipate threats, and fight for what matters. The art of war is both a shield and a prison, offering safety but also demanding sacrifice. The novel uses this device to explore the costs of emotional suppression and the necessity of vulnerability.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The novel foregrounds the idea that true family is not defined by blood, but by choice, loyalty, and shared struggle. Delphine and Tyler both find belonging in the families they create—through mentorship, friendship, and love. The bonds they form are tested by betrayal, loss, and the demands of survival, but ultimately endure. This device allows the story to explore themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of connection to heal even the deepest wounds.

Trauma, Memory, and the Haze

Delphine's traumatic brain injury and resulting memory loss create a "haze" that both protects and torments her. The novel uses this device to explore the ways in which trauma distorts perception, erases time, and complicates healing. The struggle to remember—and to make peace with what cannot be remembered—becomes a central conflict, mirroring the larger battle to reclaim agency and hope. The haze is both a curse and a shield, a reminder that healing is a process, not a destination.

Cycles of Violence and Redemption

The story is haunted by cycles of abuse, addiction, and betrayal—patterns that threaten to repeat across generations. Both Delphine and Tyler are determined to break these cycles, to become the protectors and healers they never had. The novel uses foreshadowing, parallelism, and repetition to highlight the difficulty of escaping the past, but also the possibility of forging a new future. Redemption is hard-won, requiring sacrifice, honesty, and the willingness to forgive oneself and others.

Analysis

Severed Heart is a sweeping, emotionally charged exploration of trauma, love, and the relentless pursuit of peace in a world marked by violence and loss. At its core, the novel asks whether it is possible to heal from the wounds inflicted by others—and by ourselves—and whether love can truly redeem even the most broken souls. Through the intertwined journeys of Delphine and Tyler, the story examines the ways in which pain shapes identity, the necessity of found family, and the courage required to keep fighting when hope seems lost. The novel does not shy away from the darkness—depicting abuse, addiction, and the brutal realities of war—but it also insists on the possibility of light. Healing, it suggests, is not about erasing the past, but about facing it with honesty, compassion, and the willingness to forgive. The lessons of Severed Heart are hard-won: that survival is an act of defiance, that love is both a risk and a refuge, and that the safest place is not a house or a body, but the hearts we touch and the memories we leave behind. In the end, the novel is a testament to the power of resilience, the necessity of connection, and the enduring hope that, even after loss, we can choose to live—and to love—again.

Last updated: August 22, 2025