chapter 74 1 year later

Maxwell's mouth hung open, his breathing constricted. He swallowed hard, feeling as though time had stopped and his world had come crashing down. He stumbled back a step, consumed by despair and disheartenment. Had Mellisa died before his very eyes, and he had been powerless to do anything? No! Mellisa had died today, and it was all because of him. If only he had been more careful, Zick's man wouldn't have threatened him with Mellisa and forced him to come with them. Mellisa wouldn't have stressed herself out, thinking about him all night and forgetting about her condition. It was all because of him that Mellisa had died, and he was alone in his guilt.

Maxwell's chin quivered, and he felt a thickness in his throat, causing him to swallow hard. Tears streamed out of his eyes as he spoke with a cracked tone, "Doctor, please recheck. Maybe you have made a mistake. Please, doctor."

"I'm sorry, there's nothing to check. She is no more. I offer my condolences to you," the doctor replied.

Ma