His final shred of hope collapsed at that moment.
Derek's entire body shook. He swayed on his feet as red flooded his eyes.
Terror, regret, and despair swept through him from every direction, consuming all reason.
He threw his head back and screamed at the sky, his voice hoarse and broken with agony and madness. "How did this happen? How could Elise be dead? How did the warehouse catch fire? Weren't those kidnappers her people? Wasn't this a trap she set to test me? Why did they stand by and let her burn alive? Someone tell me! Why?"
He had lost his mind.
Every certainty, every ounce of anger, every prejudice he had held turned into piercing regret and despair, cutting him apart from within.
Hurried footsteps sounded behind him as Vivian rushed over.
Weakness still lingered on her f
