Cold husband burning regret

Hiram’s fingers twitched, desperate to break free from his own body and shout back in protest. But all he managed was a strangled, guttural

sound, eyes blazing red with helpless fury.

Watching the agony etched across the Sterlings‘ faces, Tricia couldn’t help but recall Charlotte’s own look of anguish. A wave of satisfaction washed over her.

At that moment, she released the brake on the wheelchair.

The slight slope was enough–the wheelchair began to roll, slow and steady, straight toward the reflecting pool.

Hiram’s eyes widened as he realized what was happening. Powerless, he watched himself slide closer to the water’s edge, despair closing in. He shut his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

“Stop!” Vera’s voice rang out as she burst onto the scene.

But she was a moment too late. Hiram, wheelchair and all, toppled into the water with a splash. Vera didn’t waste time demanding answers from Tricia–she dove in after him.

Tricia’s face drained of color. Before she could react, Noreen came running, flanked by Judd and Gentry.

Panic flaring, Tricia yanked her hat down over her face and bolted.

“Hey! Stop right there!” Gentry shouted, chasing after the fleeing figure.

Tricia darted into a crowd, weaving through startled guests. Just as Gentry was about to catch her, she grabbed a passerby, shoving them between herself and her pursuer. The stranger yelled after her, “What’s wrong with you, lady? In a hurry to meet your maker?”

Gentry hesitated, unwilling to barrel into the innocent bystander. By the time he looked up again, Tricia had vanished into the sea of people.

Vera hauled Hiram out of the pool, with Judd and

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12.14inin

a hand from

dropped to his knees and began CPR, working

tense moment, Hiram coughed up a lungful of water and started shivering violently as consciousness returned. Judd shrugged out of his jacket, wrapping it around Hiram’s shoulders. Noreen rushed to call for

whisking Hiram away for a full evaluation, while Vera, Judd,

handed Vera a towel. Noreen helped her dry her hair. “Thank God we got here in

then,

is she?” Noreen

she pulled some stunt in the crowd and slipped away.” He paused, then added, “By the

shook her head

“Her

to one of recognition. “So that’s her. Mr. Howard’s old flame. Figures…” He shot a sidelong glance at Judd, then sidled up to him and muttered, “You looked pretty

cold look.

but let it

emerged from the ER, clipboard in hand. “Who here is family

are,”

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12:44

Chapter 375