The pump ran for eight hours, and Walter stood watch without food or drink the entire time.
His face remained impassive as the river gradually receded, yet turmoil raged within him. Amy’s every smile and frown flooded his thoughts.
He hated himself for working late at the office last night–tasks easily done at home.
The deeper he dwelled, the more fear gripped him. Her recent reactions toward Nathan had worn his patience thin.
He couldn’t bear her unreasonable outbursts anymore, couldn’t stomach Michelle and Mrs. Davis constantly criticiz- ing her.
Noticing his ashen face, the assistant approached.
“Walter, draining the river completely will take hours. Go home and rest.”
“I’ll update you immediately if anything happens.”
Pushed into the car and driven home, he stumbled into the study like a zombie.
Instinctively reaching for their framed photo on the desk, his hand met empty air–the picture was gone.
His gaze involuntarily shifted to the document centered on the desk: Divorce Agreement.
Trembling hands lifted the papers. His own signature glared back from the bottom.
The sharp, angular strokes were unmistakably his–no possible error.
Impossible!
He’d never sign this!
He’d rather die than let her leave.
“Hah…” He collapsed onto the desk, a guttural roar erupting from his chest, vibrating the lamp.
Metallic taste filled his throat. Needles of pain pierced his heart, stealing his breath.
Why would Amy want a divorce?
They were perfect–he’d believed they’d grow old together.
His phone buzzed violently, mirroring his shuddering heart.
“Walter, the river’s dry.”
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00:30
Chapter 12
“We found a woman’s body… I can’t identify her.”
“Should… should you come?”
He jerked upright, eyes bloodshot.
288 iVouchers
The divorce papers scattered across the floor as he lurched from the study. Dress shoes hammered frantic beats against hardwood, each step like walking on knives.
No. Not her.
It couldn’t be her.
When Michelle and Mrs. Davis entered the study at the commotion, only discarded divorce papers greeted them.
Mrs. Davis scooped them up, beaming. “That jinx finally divorced my son!”
“Michelle, once Walter forgets her, I’ll make him marry you.”
“You’re our family’s hero–giving us precious Nathan.”
“I hope Amy truly died. She’ll never return to the Davis family!”
Michelle nodded. Her years of waiting were finally paying off.
Soon she’d be Walter’s wife–a legitimate society matron, not a hidden mistress. Her child would become the true Davis heir, not some bastard.
He’d inherit everything, bathed in endless luxury.
And Amy? She’d better be dead.
Walter clutched the steering wheel, knuckles whitening to the point of cracking.
Violent tremors wracked his body, making the accelerator pedal dance.
The car swerved toward a roadside tree, scraping past the trunk. The rearview mirror shattered into dust. Blood oozed from his head wound, yet he felt no pain.
He slumped over the steering wheel, shoulders shaking violently, sobs escaping through the car window into the night.
“Walter.”
When his assistant found him, he seemed like a soulless shell, eyes vacant.
Reaching the riverbank, Walter closed his eyes briefly, turned away, took a deep breath, then nodded to his assistant,
The white sheet lifted, revealing a waterlogged corpse with bloated, unrecognizable features.
Walter’s breath caught.
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00:30
Chapter 12
It wasn’t Amy.
Drained of all strength, he staggered backward.
His tense nerves suddenly relaxed, finally allowing him to breathe freely.
“Keep searching!”
“What exactly happened here yesterday?”
“Where is Amy?!”
