Chapter 21
+26 BONUS
Back at the Millington estate, Duncan gently bathed Audrey and dressed her in clear clothes, as if she were stili alive. In his mind, she wasn’t gone no matter how many nes people told him that Audrey was dead and would never return, he refused to believe it.
Duncan’s long fingers combed through Audrey’s silky dark hair, his voice soft and tender, as though she could stil! hear him. “Audrey, if you’re tired, just rest. I’m here with you. I used to hate you for betraying me, refusing to listen to any of your explanations. I didn’t give you a chance to speak. But now… I don’t hate you anymore. I want to hear your side, and then we can uncover the truth together, okay? I can’t live without you. I made a terrible mistake before, and I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”
This usually composed man cried like a child as he held her
His tears fell onto her face, and he gently wiped them away again and again, endlessly.
When Janet and Seamus returned to the estate, they found their son asleep on Audrey’s body, tear tracks still visible on his face.
Their proud son had loved Audrey so deeply, and now that she was gone, it seemed he had completely fallen apart. The media was already buzzing with news of how Duncan had abandoned his bride at the altar, and the Leverton family was relentlessly demanding an explanation.
Janet collapsed into Seamus‘ arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “What do we do? I’m terrified Duncan will never recover from this.”
Seamus patted her back, letting out a long sigh. “Don’t worry. Our son isn’t that fragile.”
But deep down, Seamus knew better. If Duncan hadn’t loved Audrey so intensely, he wouldn’t have harbored so much hatred, and he wouldn’t be acting like this after her death.
The only option left was to take Audrey’s body to the funeral home before Duncan woke up. However, just as Seamus reached out to lift Audrey, Duncan’s eyes snapped open. His gaze was dark and deep, like an endless abyss ready to swallow anyone who dared enter.
Seamus had never seen such a look in his son’s eyes before it was terrifying.
“Duncan, I just wanted to
“No one is allowed to touch her, except me,” Duncan interrupted, his voice suddenly soft, almost tender. “She’s tired. She just wants to sleep. You’ll wake her up if you’re too loud.”
Duncan’s erratic mood swings made Seamus realize that the situation was far worse than he had imagined.
“She’s gone, Duncan. She’s not breathing. We can’t keep her here,” Seamus said, trying to gently bring Duncan back to reality, even though it pained him to do so.
Duncan looked up at his father, like a desperate child seeking reassurance. “Dad, Audrey isn’t dead, right? She -wanted to explain things to me; she loved me so much. She wouldn’t leave me like this. She wouldn’t.”
How many times had people told him Audrey was dead? He had lost count, but he stubbornly believed that his Audrey was just asleep. She would wake up–she had to.
Janet couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She pulled Duncan up from the floor, hugging him tightly. “Son, Audrey is gone. She’s never coming back. Let’s take her to the funeral home. If you truly love her, let her rest in peace.”
Duncan stood still in Janet’s arms, like an empty shell devoid of life.
His entire world had collapsed with Audrey’s death. There was no light left, only endless darkness. Living now felt
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worse than dying.
Was Audrey really gone? Was she never coming back? Would he never hear her voice again? Would she never call him “Duncan” again?
Duncan forcefully pushed Janet away and crouched down, ipping Audrey’s hand tightly, pressing it against hist face. Her hand was ice–cold, devoid of life. She was really gene.
Chacer?
