Goodbye Forever Ex-Husband (by Ammund) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

ADRIAN’S POV

I rushed back into the living room, the remote nearly slipping from my grip as I turned up the volume on the TV. My eyes remained glued to the screen, scanning every word the news anchor said, desperate to catch something–anything–about survivors or casualties.

“Emergency services arrived at the scene within minutes, but the fire had already engulfed the entire structure. The source of the fire remains unknown the reporter stated, her voice calm but heavy.

I leaned forward, holding my breath. But unfortunately, they didn’t mention if they found anyone, I felt my stomach twist into a knot.

That was it? No names? Had she mentioned it earlier, before I turned up the volume? Had I missed the most important detail? A fatality. My mind reeled with possibilities, but the worst–case scenario clung to me like a noose tightening with each passing second.

Dora.

She had been watching the broadcast from the

ginning. She must’ve heard everything.

I dropped the remote on the couch, practically sprinting up the stairs to my bedroom. My heart pounded in my chest. My breath caught as I swung the door open, my eyes sweeping the room.

Dora stepped out of the bathroom just then, drying her hands with a towel. She looked startled by my sudden appearance.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, eyebrows raised in concern.

“Yes,” I said sharply, walking closer. “You were watching the news before I got home. Did they mention if there were any bodies found in the house fire? Were there any survivors?”

She blinked at me, her gaze drifting momentarily to the floor like she had zoned out. Her silence felt too long.

“Dora,” I said again, snapping my fingers to get her attention. “Did you hear what I said?”

She finally looked up, nodding slowly. “Yes… Yes, I heard you. Sorry, I was just thinking.” She paused, folding the towel in her hand. “Well, I wasn’t fully paying attention, but I did catch them saying that two bodies were found inside the house. They were… burned beyond recognition.”

odies.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I took a step back, needing air. My mind swirled.

“Did they identify the bodies?” I asked, my voice strained.

She shook her head. “No. But from what the reporter said, the investigators believe the victims were a man and a woman. That’s all they could determine

for now.”

A man and a woman. My breath stilled. Could it be…?

I didn’t want to believe it. I couldn’t. But the thought had already lodged itself deep in my chest. My hands moved on their own as I pulled out my phone

and dialed Olivia’s number.

Ringing.

Then silence.

“Switched off,” I whispered to myself as realit

slammed into me like a freight train.

My hand trembled as I lowered the phone. No answer. No trace. No sign of life. Had that really been the last time I saw her?

I staggered to the bed and sat down heavily, the weight of what I might have just lost pressing on my shoulders like boulders. My breath came in short gasps, and I didn’t know–why my chest ached so badly, why my thoughts were spiraling into despair.

1/3

She didn’t deserve this, Olivia never wronged me, if anything, she had been a victim in all this. And still, I used her as a pawn, manipulated her emotion. and forced her into my twisted game of revenge.

So why now… did it feel like someone had just ripped my heart out of my chest? Why did it feel like I’d just lost the only person who ever trily mattered)

My hand went up to my chest, gripping tightly as if holding myself together could somehow stop the ache from spreading. It didn’t. I squeezed harder. my fingers digging into my shirt, trying to make sense of the pain hammering inside my chest. Just when I thought I had reached my breaking point, I feft it–warm, silent tears rushing down my cheeks like a flood I didn’t know I was holding back.

“Babe, are you crying?” Dora’s voice was soft, cautious. She walked toward me, hesitated for a moment, then sat beside me on the edge of the bed. I felt her hand land gently on my shoulder.

She was adopted. She didn’t even share a drop of blood with the Graysons. She wasn’t part of the lies that ruined my life. But I punished her anyway.! punished her for simply existing in a world I couldn’t control.

I blinked, trying to stop the tears, but they wouldn’t stop. They just kept coming, heavier now, burning hot against my skin. My chest felt like it was caving in. Like someone was standing on top of me, suffocating me slowly. The worst part? I knew this pain was my own doing.

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