died my

4

The sofa creaked with hushed gasps.

I watched Terry’s rough hands glide over Katherine’s pale shoulders, the sight twisting my gut.

Closing my eyes, I retreated, my heart too numb to break ag A shrill ring cut through their moment.

Terry answered, annoyance etched on his face.

“Mr. Shane? City Hospital here. Your wife, Wendy Lowe,

succumbed to cancer at 10 AM. We need you to come collec remains.”

“What?”

Terry’s grip tightened on the phone, sparking a foolish hope

1. me.

12:21

PART 1

Would my death affect him at all?

The doctor repeated himself.

Terry’s frown deepened, his voice sharp.

“Another trick? Don’t team up with Wendy to con me. She’d cash in on a divorce, but this game gets her nothing.”

I heard the doctor’s stunned pause, clearly blindsided.

“Mr. Shane, please. Wendy is really gone.”

Despite the doctor’s insistence, Terry refused to believe.

His final words chilled me to the bone.

“Fine. Tell Wendy if she wants to play dead, let her. Saves me the divorce papers.”

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