across
her skin, and the overpowering stench of decomposition filled the room.
Lucas‘ eyes reddened as a tidal wave of anguish overwhelmed him.
“Celia!” His voice cracked with raw emotion, trembling and thick with despair.
For a man who had never once shed tears in front of others, his composure now shattered completely. “How… how did this
happen?”
With shaking hands, he carefully lifted her body from the wardrobe, cradling her as though she were still alive.
Yvonne, unable to bear the sight, stumbled backward, her legs weak with fear. She fled the room, staggering out into the hallway
before frantically calling the police.
The authorities and medical examiners arrived quickly, and by the time the doorbell rang, Yvonne had managed to collect herself
enough to answer. She ushered them into the house, but when they reached Celia’s room, she refused to step inside.
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Chapter 11
“They’re in there,” she said, pointing toward the door.
The officers and forensic team entered the room cautiously.
+15 Bonus
Inside, they were met with a haunting sight: Lucas, seated on the floor, clutching the decayed remains of Celia’s body tightly to
his chest, his face a mask of grief.
It took a great deal of effort for the officers and medical team to persuade Lucas to let go of Celia’s body and cooperate with their
investigation.
Eventually, the corpse was taken away, and the house emptied as the last of the officials left.
One older officer paused by the door, glancing back at Lucas, who sat motionless, his expression hollow. With a sigh, the officer
patted his shoulder gently.
“My condolences. I’m sure your loved one wouldn’t want you to grieve like this. The dead are gone, but the living must carry on.”
With those words, the officer turned and jogged to catch up with his colleagues, leaving Lucas staring after them, his mind
clouded with confusion.
Carry on? Where could he possibly go from here?
All he had wanted was to break Celia’s attachment to him, to create enough distance for her to move on with her life. That was
why he had ignored her and left her behind.
But it had only been five days. How had it come to this? How could she be gone forever?
A tidal wave of sorrow crashed over him, pulling him under. He raised a trembling hand to cover his face, and at last, the tears. came. Suppressed sobs escaped through his fingers, raw and broken.
It was a long time before he spoke again, his voice hoarse and barely audible.
“Leave.”
The word startled Yvonne, who had been hiding upstairs. She froze, but when she realized he wasn’t joking, panic took over. She
rushed downstairs, throwing herself at his feet.
“Lucas! Her death has nothing to do with me! I really love you. How can you just send me away like this?”
Tears streamed down her face as she clung desperately to his legs. But this time, Lucas didn’t soften.
Instead, he pried her fingers away one by one, his hands steady but cold.
“Yvonne,” he said, his voice drained of warmth, “I told you from the beginning that this was all an act. I only asked you to
pretend to be my fiancée.”
Now there was no need for pretense.
“I don’t need a fake fiancée anymore.” His words carried a weary finality, and after a long pause, he let out a bitter laugh.
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hapter 12
Chapter 12
