Chapter 5

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Lucas stared at Mason, his expression blank as if he hadn't heard correctly. "What did you just say? Who's dead?"

One of the officers stepped forward, sighing deeply as he pulled out his phone. He unlocked it and handed it to Lucas, a video already playing.

"We're here to inform you officially, Mr. Ryan," the officer said gravely. "A week ago, your wife, Claire, was in a car accident. Her car collided with a bus on the highway."

"The crash was devastating. She died at the scene."

"To ensure accountability, her body was taken to your hospital. But no one ever came to claim it..."

Lucas's hands trembled as he held the phone, his eyes glued to the screen. The video showed the scene of the accident—twisted metal, shattered glass, and blood.

For the first time, I saw something on his face I had never seen before: shock.

The room fell silent. The kind of silence so heavy it felt like the air itself had stopped moving.