I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Terrence was out of control. He looked at Audrey’s face, wanting to tear it off. It was his wife’s face. He wanted to rip out her heart; it was his wife’s heart. Audrey didn’t deserve any of it. Without this heart, he wouldn’t have been so mistaken, fooled by the familiarity Audrey gave him-all because of this heart. Little Lucky called Audrey “Mom” because of this heart too. To Terrence, Audrey was a murderer, one of those responsible for Meredith’s death.

Audrey didn’t argue; she knew Terrence was too angry to listen. No one could accept such a thing. Terrence wanted to strangle Audrey, but looking at that face, he couldn’t do it. It would be like killing Meredith himself.

People outside couldn’t see what was happening but could hear the commotion. Realizing something was wrong, Pete and Spencer were very anxious.

Spencer shouted, “Terrence, you can’t hurt Audrey. Meredith voluntarily gave her heart to Audrey. Meredith couldn’t be saved. If not for Audrey, Meredith would have been fish food long ago!”

Pete was also worried, “Audrey shouldn’t have gone to them in the first place. After everything she’s done, she’s still treated like an enemy. Terrence, if you dare hurt my sister, you’ll pay.”

Terrence heard everything from outside but didn’t open the door. He let go of Audrey and asked coldly, “Did my wife leave any last words?”

His eyes were already wet as he spoke; he hadn’t seen his wife one last time. Audrey remembered Meredith calling out Terrence and Little Lucky’s names as she died; they were the two people she couldn’t let go of.

Now, Audrey honestly said, “The room in the attic at home-Meredith stayed there. She passed away there because she didn’t want to die in a hospital. She asked me to bring her home and kept calling your names when she died.”

Hearing this, Terrence felt a sharp pain in his chest again. That bed, that familiar feeling-it was because Meredith had been there. He couldn’t imagine how desperate Meredith must have been in her final moments without him by her side.

Unable to suppress his grief any longer, Terrence felt a metallic taste in his throat and spat out blood.

“Terrence,” Audrey exclaimed in shock.

People outside heard the noise and thought something had happened. Harvey anxiously called out, “Boss? Boss, open the door.”

Grandma Sterling was also worried, “Terry, open the door and let’s talk.”

Everyone was trying to persuade him when the door finally opened. Terrence stood there with blood on his lips, looking at them with utter despair in his eyes-a look they would never forget: hopelessness, desolation.

Pete and Spencer rushed to check on Audrey: “Audrey, did Terrence hurt you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Audrey replied while looking at Terrence’s departing figure at the door and said, “I’m sorry.”

Terrence said nothing and walked out silently towards the hospital exit.

Grandma Sterling called after him, “Terry! Terry…”

“Boss,” Harvey followed him out.

Selene also hurried after him.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Terrence stopped and said three words: “Don’t follow me.”

Those words halted Harvey and Selene in their tracks.

Terrence left the hospital and ran into Azure at the entrance.

Azure asked him, “Terrence, what’s wrong? There’s blood on your lips-are you hurt?”

Terrence seemed not to see or hear Azure as he hailed a cab and got in.

He was going to the cemetery; he wanted to be with Meredith.

Meredith was always afraid of the dark. How scared she must be alone in the cemetery.

Azure was confused as she saw Grandma Sterling and others come out and asked them: “What happened? Terrence just took a cab-what’s going on?”