CHAPTER 49: AFTERMATH OF A LEGEND

THE NIGHT OF GRIEF

Rose's screams pierced the cold night air.

She collapsed onto the rooftop, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her hands trembled as she reached for the spot where Alexander had fallen.

All that was left was the bloodstained ground—proof that the man she loved was gone.

"Alexander... please... no... this can't be happening..." she whispered, her voice shaking.

Her entire body shuddered with grief.

Her Alexander—the man who teased her, protected her, and made her heart race—was dead.

Her vision blurred as her breath came in ragged gasps.

Then—footsteps.

Mark, Darmian, and Madison rushed to the rooftop.

"Rose!" Madison shouted, running toward her.

She turned, her tear-streaked face filled with raw devastation.

"He's gone… Alexander is gone…"

Silence.

Even Mark—normally composed—stood frozen.

Darmian clenched his fists, his throat tightening.

Madison knelt beside Rose as she continued to sob violently, her entire body racked with agony.

Then—she collapsed into Madison's arms.

Unconscious.

Darmian turned away, wiping his eyes. Mark simply stood still, his head lowered.

For the first time—there was no victory.

Only loss.

THE SEARCH FOR ALEXANDER

The next morning, every force available was sent to search for his body.

Hours turned into days.

Days turned into a week.

And yet—no body was found.

All they recovered was blood—everywhere.

The conclusion?

The wild dogs had eaten his corpse.

His remains were gone—erased from existence.

A HERO REMEMBERED

A week later, the government held a grand ceremony to honor Alexander Bluestone's sacrifice.

A statue was erected in his name.

People whispered about his legendary tactics.

They remembered the ruthless yet brilliant detective who had fought crime without fear.

But none suffered more than Rose.

THE WOMAN HE LEFT BEHIND

Rose sat alone in her room.

The curtains were drawn. The lights were off.

She was lifeless.

Empty.

Her hands clutched something tightly.

Alexander's diary.

Her fingers trembled as she turned the pages.

Each word etched with his thoughts, his emotions, his love.

She read—

"Ways to make her smile."

"Ways to tease her until she blushes."

"Ways to love her until she forgets the world."

Her tears fell onto the ink.

"You idiot… how could you leave me like this?"

She pressed the pages against her heart.

And for the first time—

She wished she had never met him.

Because living without him was worse than death.