Chapter 5

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Meep meep meep meep. A steady, annoying beep filled the room. I slowly opened my heavy eyes. There was a thin white sheet covering my body, and standing right beside the bed was... Richard. “Hey...” Richard whispered. “You're awake.” He smiled at me with a deeply caring gaze, though his eyes were bloodshot. “I'm so glad you woke up. I'm so sorry, Alyce. It's all my fault. I didn't know you were driving when I called. I should've asked, I'm so sorry.” Richard started sobbing intensely right there by the bedside. I could feel the crushing weight of his guilt radiating through the room. “It's okay,” I croaked, my throat dry. “How... how is my baby girl? Is she okay? What did the doctor say?” “She's okay. You only hit your head on the steering wheel, but the baby is completely fine,” Richard said, holding my hand softly to steady me. He had known me for over a decade now. We went to school together, worked cases together, and he had even attended my wedding. My wedding. The thought hit me like a physical blow. “Wait... my wedding. HOW IS MY HUSBAND? WHAT HAPPENED? PLEASE TELL ME EVERYTHING!” Richard dropped his gaze, his hand trembling against mine. “There was nothing left. I'm so sorry, Alyce.” “No.... No... no no no NO! WHAT HAPPENED? HOW DID IT HAPPEN?” I started screaming at the top of my lungs. Nurses came running into the room to restrain me, and Richard stepped back into the corner to give me space to mourn the ashes of my life.