Chapter 10 On his discharge day , Andrew refused any ride home . The media had spun the sea - plunge incident as a brief psychotic break from extreme stress . His team scrambled to contain the fallout , burying it from Trending Topics and managing the crisis - but no one could plug the black hole swallowing his heart . He started dreaming of Emerie constantly . In those dreams , she always stood in a halo of light , wearing that white dress , telling him : " Take one more step and I'll vanish . " He'd chase desperately , trying to grab her , yet each time she dissolved before his eyes . Andrew would gasp awake drenched in sweat , chest searing with pain . Doctors urged systematic counseling . " I'm not sick , " he insisted . Yet soon her voice haunted his waking hours . While showering , he'd hear her murmur : " Too hot . Turn it colder . " During meetings , he'd see her sketching storyboards by the window . Entering elevators , her familiar perfume would wash over him - his grasping hand closing on empty air . His assistant grew uneasy . " Sir , you seem … off lately . " " I'm fine . " " You haven't gone home in five days . Your office teacup's always steaming - since when do you drink it hot ? " " She said warmth nourishes the stomach better . " The assistant froze . " Who ? " " Her . " His behavior turned stranger still . Staring blankly at walls . Muttering abruptly : " Don't go . Please just … stop leaving . " Whispers spread through the team : " Has he cracked ? " 0.0 % 00:06 Chapter 10 " Is the trauma making him lose it ? " The assistant quietly scheduled psychological evaluations . After three sessions , the doctor wrote : 288 Vouchers . Patient exhibits profound grief reaction , convinced deceased remains alive . Symptoms include auditory / visual halluci- nations , behavioral replication , cognitive dissonance . The final note read : Recommend inpatient treatment . Andrew refused . " I'm not ill . I truly see her . " " She really is still here . " At 3 a.m. , he sat alone in the conference room , staring at the whiteboard where she'd once explained ending story- boards . Softly , he pleaded : " Emerie … if you're truly here , give me a sign . Please ? " The lights flickered abruptly . He rose slowly , staggering forward . " You're still here … right ? " " You didn't leave … right ? " " I feel you . I've always felt you . " Wind moaned through the creaking door . He paused before it , hand lifting gently . Then a woman's voice - low , tangible - brushed his back : " You should sleep . " He whirled around . Nothing . The hallway stretched empty as daylight . Yet in that moment , his eyes welled - finally embracing the answer he craved . She was here . No delusion . No pathological projection . 51.0 % 00:06 Chapter 10 Her soul had truly lingered . That night , he slept deeply . In dreams , Emerie sat by his bed , tucking stray hair behind his ear as she whispered : " I didn't leave . " " I just couldn't bear to go . " " So I stayed . " 92.4 %