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Kayla's POV

I had never seen a corpse before, especially one that reeked badly and was rotting with age, I couldn't bear staying in the room. My legs moved on their own accord before they buckled in the middle of the living room.

I gasped, my knees colliding with the tile and a sickening crack rippled through the room, my body shaking uncontrollably. “No... no...” My voice cracked, barely audible between sobs.

Raymond didn't follow and I was grateful. I let myself break down alone for a lady I didn't know.

Eventually, his boots echoed down the hall. He stepped out, cradling a small, worn box in his hands. His expression was dark, almost unreadable, but his jaw clenched as he stopped in front of me.

"She didn’t die peacefully," Raymond murmured, eyes flicking down to the box. “Whoever did this made sure it wasn’t quick. Suffocation. Likely with a pillow."

I wiped at my face, though my hands trembled, smearing tears across my cheeks. My body felt heavy, weighed down by guilt and sorrow.