BECKLEY'S POV I was lying there in the hospital bed , bandages tight on my chest , painkillers barely keeping the fire down . My patience was gone . " Bring Claire here , " I barked at my men over the phone . " Drag her from the villa if your have to . I want her here , on her knees , saying sorry to Fresca ." There was silence on the other end . Then one of them cleared his throat . " Boss ... she . wasn't in the villa . " My jaw locked . " What do you mean she wasn't there ? She called me last night . She's supposed to be inside . " " Sir , " another voice came on , nervous , " she never stepped inside . We kept her outside , like you ordered . She was in the rain the whole time ." For a second I couldn't even breathe . My throat tightened , fury mixing with something I didn't want to name . I hung up and dialed Claire's number . Out of service . My stomach twisted , heavy , wrong . Beside me , Fresca leaned closer . " Is she finally giving up on you ? " I didn't answer . My hand clenched the sheets . She brushed her fingers on my arm . " Rest for now . Don't stress yourself . Don't force her to apologize to me . I know she's only jealous because I borrowed you from her . I feel guilty . I am so sorry ... " I turned , grabbed her , and pulled her against me . " No. Don't you ever apologize . If not for you , Claire wouldn't even have a chance . It's us who should be thanking you . You're giving her your bone marrow , right ? " Fresca's lips trembled , her eyes big like she wanted to cry . " Of course I will . But only after she admits her mistake . After she apologizes , we can schedule the surgery right back away . Because ... " she paused , her voice breaking , " I know once it's over , you'll go to her and leave me ." I tightened my grip , pressing my forehead against hers . " Don't say that . You're important to me too . " She shook her head , whispering , " But not the way you love her. " I silenced her with a kiss . My chest ached but I didn't care . My hands slid into her hair , and she melted against me . Even with stitches pulling and blood still raw , I kissed her harder , and right there in that hospital bed , I let myself drown in her warmth . We had 5 Thu , Oct 16 W When it was over , exhaustion hit me like a hammer . My eyelids dropped , and I fell asleep with Fresca curled against my side , my mind still caught between the ghost of Claire and the sweetness of the woman in my arms .. Then I drifted off with Fresca asleep against me , but my dreams dragged me somewhere else . Claire was there . In the rain . Her dress plastered to her skin , her body curled up , hugging her knees . She was sobbing , shaking so hard her shoulders looked like they would snap . " Claire ... ? " I walked toward her , reaching out , but when she lifted her head , her eyes were red , streaked with blood . The sight of her made my chest rip open . I jerked awake , sweat breaking down my spine . " Claire ?! " Fresca stirred beside me , blinking innocent . " She's still not here . I told you , Beckley , she hates me too much . " I ripped the IV from my arm , blood dripping , and slammed the button for the nurse . " Discharge me . Now . " They argued , but I didn't care . Within the hour , I was out . Stitches pulling , body weak , but I got in the car with Fresca at my side . We drove straight to the villa . I called Claire again and again , but the line stayed dead . My fury burned hotter with every ring . Finally , I snapped at my men . " Find her . Drag her here . I don't care what it takes . " Fresca touched my arm gently , " Shh . Relax . Maybe she's just sulking somewhere ? Don't push too hard . Let her calm down . " I exhaled , jaw tight . " You're right . But she's gotten spoiled since becoming my wife . Look what she did to you . Your face is still swollen . " Fresca shook her head . " It's fine . It was my fault . I shouldn't have upset her . " Before I could answer , footsteps pounded up the hall . My men burst into the room , breathless . " Boss ! We found Mrs. Claire ! " A surge of relief and anger hit me all at once . I stood . " Then bring her inside now . Drag her if you have to . Or she can forget about ever getting the bone marrow she's been begging for . " My men stood there shifting on their feet , none of them daring to meet my eyes . The silence stretched until finally one of them stepped forward , holding a tablet with both hands . His fingers were shaking . 8:56 Thu , Oct 16 " Boss , " he said quietly . " You need to see this . " ASO I snatched it from him , annoyed , and the screen lit up . The headline hit me like a bullet . " Young Woman Killed in Car Accident Last Night . " The video rolled . Wreckage under flashing red and blue lights . A blurred body being covered with a sheet . Then the camera zoomed in on the scattered items - her wedding ring , her bracelet , her phone . All of them mine . All of them hers . My chest clenched so tight I could barely breathe . What the fuck is this ? My pulse hammered in my ears . Beside me , Fresca gasped , covering her mouth . " Oh my god . Beckley ... is that ... is that Claire ? " I slammed the tablet shut , my fists curling . " Why the hell are you showing me this garbage ? I told you to bring her here . She's waiting somewhere . She always comes back to me . Always . " My voice cracked at the end , and I hated myself for it . " Sir ... the police confirmed it . They found her phone and the ring with your name engraved . They said she didn't survive the crash . " Another muttered , like he was afraid I'd kill him . " She's gone , boss . She's ... dead . " The word sliced through me . FUCK !!! 8:56 Thu , Oct 16