died my

13

The slap echoed through the morgue.

Terry took the hit, his face reddening from the impact. But it wasn’t enough.

Katherine, seeing me – her biggest threat – gone, couldn’t hide her triumph.

She was probably already dreaming of her future with the Shanes.

Boldly, she challenged Bob.

“How could you hit him? Terry had no choice!”

The Shanes had never approved of Terry’s relationship with

12:26

Katherine, and her words only stoked the fire.

Bob’s breathing grew labored, his hand clutching his chest. “No choice? Is that his excuse for murder?”

Katherine’s eyes darted nervously, but she pressed on.

“It’s because of the chains you’ve put on Terry. You’ve always used him. He never loved Wendy; you forced him!”

Her self–righteous speech pushed the father–son conflict to its

limit.

“Terry, is this what you think?”

Bob struggled to ask. I couldn’t help but wonder too.

I had liked Terry, but I wasn’t desperate.

If he had refused me, I would’ve moved on.

But he agreed, even saying marrying me was his “long–cherished dream.”

If he didn’t love me, why lie?

But Terry stayed silent.

I wasn’t surprised or hurt. My love had long turned to hate. Now, I only wished for his downfall.

“Fine. What a wretched son,” Bob snarled.

“If you choose this woman, don’t expect me to call you my son!”

His eyes brimmed with disappointment.

As Bob turned to leave with his wife’s support, he collapsed at the door.

Chaos erupted as medical staff rushed to help.

Terry tried to approach, but Linda stopped him. “Think hard about what you’ve done.”

Even with her love, she knew Terry had crossed a line,

It was her final warning to her son.