Chapter 12

Terrence trembled as he got to his feet and staggered toward the casket, desperate to find even the smallest sign that the person inside wasn't Thea. He studied every feature, only to confirm that the woman lying there was undeniably Thea, who had been part of his life for five years. But it didn't make sense. They'd been on a video call just the day before, and she hadn't shown any signs of being suicidal. This couldn't be real. He thought Thea must have been upset with him for not being there for her lately. She was only acting out, nothing more. Terrence reached out to touch her face, clinging to the desperate belief that she was only asleep. He convinced himself she would open her eyes if he woke her. When his trembling fingers met her cold cheek, he managed a faint smile, still unwilling to accept the truth. "Thea, you're freezing. Let me warm you up, alright? Once you start feeling better, open your eyes for me. It's our wedding day. You wouldn't leave me here, would you?"