Chapter 4 Behind the Closed Door

Suddenly, Maya furrowed her brows and sniffed the air amid the chaos. "Lennox, do you smell something strange?"

My heart lurched.

The midsummer heat was oppressive and sticky. My corpse was currently sprawled on the bed, completely covered by thick bedding. So, it was already decomposing in the oppressive silence of my room.

Weston immediately pressed a hand to his bloodied forehead at Maya's suspicion, playing the victim card. "Mom… I'm so dizzy. My head hurts so much."

Maya immediately forgot about the smell, too worried about Weston to think about anything else as she hurried over to steady him.

"Sweetheart, just sit down. I'll get some medicine and treat that wound for you."

Lennox quickly crouched beside him, his voice cautious but full of hope. "Weston, my boy, that mission you told us about… did you complete it successfully? Does that mean you're completely safe now? You're not in danger anymore?"

Weston held on to Willow, a satisfied smile flickering in his eyes while his face remained calm and happy. He nodded.

Lennox stared at him for a moment, then slapped his thigh in delight.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! We're throwing a big celebration tonight! First, we'll celebrate your successful mission and safe return to life. Then, we'll celebrate Willow and Declan's engagement. It'll be two happy occasions at once!"

Willow's tense expression eased, and she let out a sigh of relief. She hurried to the window and looked down, searching for the diamond ring she'd thrown outside.

She spent a long time searching the bushes downstairs. When she finally straightened up, sweat had dampened the loose strands of hair on her forehead. However, she still looked hopeful as she quickly pulled out her phone and called the band.

"Hello, can you get here on short notice tonight?"

"Yes, tonight. Same venue. And make sure all the custom lighting is set up. Please bring everyone over as soon as possible."

Maya immediately got to work, directing people to arrange the tables and chairs and clear the space. Lennox even brought out streamers and balloons and began decorating the living room.

I floated high above them, silently watching them work. Before long, elegant balloons filled the spacious room, the sound system was ready, and warm yellow candles had been carefully arranged in the shape of a heart. The room was filled with romance and anticipation.

Willow then contacted several of my friends. Soon, a group of them came through the door, laughing and chatting. They marveled at how lucky I was to have someone who cared enough to put so much effort into treating me well.

I hovered above the chandelier, saying nothing as I watched the doomed celebration unfold.

Everyone smiled, brimming with anticipation as they waited for the closed bedroom door to open and for me to appear and accept the grand proposal.

Once everything was ready, Willow carefully straightened her tailored dress. She gave a small cough to steady her nerves before calling out softly, "Declan, could you open the door for me? I was too impulsive earlier. I said things I shouldn't have.

"Please open the door so we can talk everything through face-to-face, okay?"

Sadly, the only thing that answered her was the growing stench of decay. It slowly seeped through the gap around the door and silently devoured the warmth that filled the corridor.

"Declan?" She knocked softly again, her voice gentle and full of hope. "I'll count to three. If you don't open the door, then I'll come right in."