Chapter 19
1/2
These days, Hunter dared not allow himself a single moment of idle time. Whenever he paused, images of Nadine’s corpse, her living face, the torn divorce papers, and Serena’s dying accusations came flooding back–all replaying endlessly in his mind.
He kept tormenting himself. Why hadn’t he said “I love you” to her just once? They were three simple words that could have brought Nadine back. But he hadn’t!
Worse, he’d hurled cruel words every time Nadine needed him, wounding her repeatedly.
Night after night, the same dream haunted him. Time rewound itself in these visions. Nadine was standing there, still asking for those three simple words. And this time, he gave them freely.
“I love you,” he’d say without hesitation. The dream–Nadine would always look astonished, as if bewildered by this unexpected salvation granted so easily.
But then dawn would break. The empty bedroom would mock him with its silence, screaming the cruel truth that Nadine was gone forever.
That chance was forever lost. Regret coiled around him like poisonous vines, tightening daily. He couldn’t comprehend how he’d become this person.
He’d hated Nadine – they were sworn enemies. Yet with the truth revealed and Nadine gone,. that hatred now seemed absurd. Nadine died and took his heart with her to the grave.
While torturing Serena, he’d convinced himself it was justice–that her death would bring peace. But with Serena gone and excuses exhausted, overwhelming emptiness drowned him.
Every sober moment became consumed by thoughts of Nadine, each ending with the same crushing realization that she was dead. This aching sorrow sat heavy in his chest.
He refused to admit what he felt toward her. After all, how could he possibly have loved Nadine? But this time, he finally snapped.
He destroyed everything in the VIP room–smashing, kicking, and tearing apart anything within reach. His agonized roars echoed off the walls.
“I did love Nadine! I loved her! And now she’s dead, and she left me alone!
“What was I supposed to do? The last time I saw her, she was already dead! I could have saved her! There were countless chances, and I did nothing!”
The man collapsed into wrenching sobs as years of suppressed emotions erupted at once. He shocked everyone present.
Chapter 19
2/2
They’d never seen Hunter like this. The mighty Hunter Goldman was utterly broken, weeping with soul–crushing grief over Nadine Devine.
But it was too late for regrets. The room was filled only with Hunter’s raw screams, a desperate animal howling for what could never be reclaimed.
Just as he hit his lowest point, Andre burst in frantically. “Mr. Goldman! It’s Ms. Hogan–she’s looking for you!”
Hunter froze. Serena was dead, so how could she reappear? Then he remembered Nadine’s five extra days, and sudden hope ignited in his eyes.
If Serena could return, then why not Nadine? There had to be a way for her to come back!
