Chapter 18
The bodyguards arrived as soon as they received the message. They entered swiftly, seized Alyssa, who wa shaking in fear, and began escorting her to the hospital as instructed.
She resisted tiercely, but the bodyguards were trained professionals. Escaping was impossible.
Just as they were about to drag her out the door, she screamed at Terrence, her voice raw, “Terrence, you say you only love Thea, but we shared so much time! Do you feel nothing for me? You said you loved me, too!”
Terrence showed no reaction. He simply ordered the bodyguards to take her to the hospital immediately.
Alyssa continued to struggle the entire way. At the hospital, she tried calling the doctors and nurses for help. But this was Hatcher Group’s private hospital. Every staff member recognized Terrence, so naturally, they followed his orders without hesitation.
Alyssa was secured to the operating table. As the anesthesia flowed into her veins, she drifted into unconsciousness.
When she awoke, the slightest movement sent a heavy, aching pain through her lower abdomen. Her child was truly gone. Her eyes, once bright, were now vacant. She stared listlessly at the ceiling.
Terrence verified with the doctor that the procedure was complete before approaching, her bedside. “Once you’re discharged, leave this city. I never want to see you again.”
The sight of Alyssa only reminded him of his infidelity and Thea’s suicide. The anguish was unbearable.
Alyssa’s gaze shifted slightly. She knew there was no longer any hope of becoming Terrence’s wife. She couldn’t even remain as his lover.
With nothing left to lose, she lashed out in bitter defiance. “Terrence, do you really think this makes you honorable? Getting rid of your unborn child, discarding your mistress, then mourning your lost love like some tragic hero?”
Alyssa’s taunting made Terrence tighten his fists. He glared at her in warning. “Shut up!”
But Alyssa continued mercilessly, her mouth curling in derision, “I didn’t ask for that first night together. You were the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants and took me to bed. And recently?
“You willingly brought me home, then came downstairs to my room at night. I never forced you. Thea’s death is your doing. You pushed her to it!”
Terrence had always known his infidelity caused Thea’s suicide, but hearing it stated so bluntly felt like being stabbed anew.
#TerrenceTheCheater
viral.
Meanwhile, after circulating online all day, news of his affair with Alyssa had god item
#TerrenceAffair
#TheaSuicide
The trending topics were flooded with tags about Terrence’s scandal.
His lavish proposal a month earlier had already made headlines, and he had vowed their wedding would be the most spectacular event ever. The public had eagerly anticipated this grand celebration.
But when the wedding became a funeral instead–when the bride, heartbroken by his affair, ended her life and arranged for her casket to be delivered to the ceremony–the shocking turn of events captivated the nation.
Terrence’s carefully crafted image as the perfect partner shattered instantly. The man once voted “most desirable husband material” was now universally condemned as the cheating scoundrel who caused his fiancée’s death.
“I’ve lost all faith in love. What a terrible person!”
“Ms, Lundy was too good for this. Why sacrifice herself for someone so unworthy?”
“Do all men lead double lives? I used to admire their perfect romance. How sickening!”
Businesses partnered with Hatcher Group severed their ties one by one, sending the company into sudden disarray.
Terrence, however, had shut himself away in his bedroom. He lay curled on though he might still find traces of her presence in the torn fabric.
the bed, clutching the ruined remains of Thea’s wedding dress, his eyes closed as
His parents, Eric Hatcher and Della Callow, had been on an overseas business trip when the scandal broke. They returned urgently and worked exhaustively to pacify the enraged shareholders, narrowly preventing total upheaval.
After stabilizing the company, they left immediately for the family villa.
A concerned housekeeper greeted them at the entrance. “Mr. Eric, Ms. Della, Mr. Terrence hasn’t left his bedroom for a full day. He refuses food and doesn’t answer when we knock. We hesitated to enter unannounced, but given how much time has passed… we’re growing concerned.”
The moment Eric and Della heard this, an alarm shot through them. They hadn’t imagined Terrence’s state had grown so dire that he would refuse meals.
Hurrying upstairs, they found the bedroom door firmly shut, just as the housekeeper had said. Despite their loud knocking and calls, there was no answer. Della’s anxiety spiked. “Eric, do you think Terrence might be in trouble inside?”
Eric acted decisively, instructing the bodyguards to kick the door open. When the door gave way, they discovered a room plunged into total darkness, every curtain lightly closed.
Terrence remained curled on the bed, the torn wedding dress still pressed against him. He showed no reaction to their sudden entrance.
Della’s eyes instantly filled with tears at the sight of his haggard face.
