He could have lost her forever.
This thought alone was enough to shatter him.
Inside the funeral parlor, morticians were frantically preparing Wessonâs body.
Nicole refused to sit.
She crouched by the door to the embalming room, like an abandoned puppy, her eyes fixed on the door.
Inside was her father.
He was the man who had once carried her on his shoulders under the sun and shielded her from the rain, ensuring she never felt a single drop.
With him, there had always been a ray of hope.
But now, her world had fallen apart.
The cornerstone of her family was gone.
Finally, the door to the embalming room opened, and Nicole, overwhelmed by grief, crawled inside on her knees.
Jarrod, witnessing her fragile state, hesitated to intervene, fearing she might unravel further.
Beneath a white cloth lay Wesson, silent and still.
Nicole, her hands quaking, barely found the voice to ask the staff, âCan you⦠Can you lift it up?â
As Jarrod moved to assist, Nicoleâs voice, seething with resentment, stopped him, âDonât touch him!â
Her words carried all the strength she had left.
Nicoleâs eyes were filled with despair.
âDonât touch him, and donât you dare come near my father.
Please!â
Jarrod, feeling a rush of anger, was about to respond when his phone vibrated disruptively.
Without a word, he stepped outside to take the call.
Inside, the staff unveiled Wessonâs face.
Despite efforts to repair it, the numerous stitches gave it a ghastly appearance.
âAh⦠Ah!â Nicoleâs scream echoed through the room, a sound of pure agony.
Her heart felt as if it had been pierced, leaving a deep, throbbing wound.
Her stomach, already in knots, twisted in excruciating pain.
Outside, Jarrod was on the phone with Alec, who was managing the situation back at the building.
âMr.
Schultz, Miss Lawrenceâs mother collapsed after hearing about Mr.
Lawrenceâs suicide.
She fell badly and suffered a serious head injury.
Sheâs in critical condition,â Alec informed him.
Jarrodâs reaction was immediate.
âWhat?â
Alec added gravely, âThe doctors say she sustained a severe head injury with internal bleeding.
She may not wake up.
â