The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 159

By the time I reached the operating room, the hallway was completely choked with a massive, terrified crowd.

Through the sea of heads, I caught sight of a chaotic, thrashing figure. A second later, a raw, hysterical scream tore through the air. I strained my ears and immediately recognized the voice. It was the same man who had happily danced for his wife in her hospital room just weeks ago.

"If he doesn't come out here right now, I'm burning this entire hospital to the ground! Bring Ferris out here!"

Dr. York was standing near the front, desperately trying to de-escalate the situation. "Dr. Sterling isn't in the building right now. We've already sent someone to contact him. Please, Terrence, don't do anything rash. If Beatrice were looking down from heaven right now, seeing you like this would break her heart."

"Shut your mouth! None of you have the right to say her name! If it weren't for you useless butchers, I'd be taking my wife to watch the sunrise at Mount Rainier right now! This is all your fault! It's all your fault!"

The guttural roar sent a wave of terrified screams rippling through the crowd. A heavy, suffocating stench suddenly filled the air. I stood on my tiptoes and peered over the crowd. A massive, dark puddle of liquid was spreading rapidly across the sterile white floor tiles outside the OR.

It was actual gasoline.

My heart plummeted into my stomach. I realized with absolute horror that Terrence was entirely prepared to die today. Dr. York clearly realized it too. His voice pitched up in panic. "Terrence, please, put the lighter down! We can talk about this..."

Terrence screamed even louder, his voice cracking with agony. "My wife is lying dead in that room! She's gone! There is absolutely nothing left to talk about! I want to see that murderer, Ferris, right this second!"

With a sickening click, he ignited the lighter. The bright orange flame danced violently as he waved it wildly over the puddle of gasoline, making it violently clear he was ready to take everyone to hell with him.

The atmosphere shattered into absolute, paralyzing terror. No one dared to breathe, let alone step forward. Remembering the profound, quiet devotion I had witnessed between the couple, I knew Terrence wasn't putting on a show.

He fully intended to die here.

A suffocating weight pressed down on my chest. Just as my mind raced to find a way to reach him, a calm, impossibly steady voice sliced through the chaos.

"Looking for me? I'm right here."

The entire crowd whipped their heads to the right. Standing just outside the mob, dressed in his pristine white coat, was Ferris. His face was carved from stone, his demeanor utterly unfazed.

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