While Dermot Mulroney’s Chief Dom Pascal has earned a reputation for being “a riddle wrapped in mystery,” there’s one person he shows all his cards around: his wife, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland).

Throughout Season 13 of Chicago Fire, the Pascals have navigated their fair share of turmoil. A big motivator for Pascal accepting the post at Firehouse 51 was to move closer to Monica, who left their life in Miami after nearly ending their marriage. As the season has unfolded, fans have watched Pascal and Monica regain their bearings, slowly but surely heading toward happier days.

But tragedy hit the Pascals unexpectedly in Season 13, Episode 15 (“Too Close”). Here’s what happened:

Pascal got some help ahead of his 15th anniversary with Monica

Ahead of their anniversary dinner, Pascal was racking his brain for gift ideas for Monica.

“This present has to be a winner after the year we’ve had,” Pascal explained. “I’ll keep looking.”

Later that day, Monica stopped by the firehouse, running into Mouch along the way. After he complimented her beautiful watch, Monica said she borrowed it from her sister. After joining Pascal in his office, Monica explained she had uninvited her sister to the anniversary dinner so they’d have the night all to themselves.

“Friday is now just about us and 15 years on the rollercoaster,” Monica said, cuddling up to the chief.

“The highs are pretty damn high,” Pascal teased.

I’m going to take you out to the best dinner of your life,” Pascal told her.

“I can’t wait,” Monica giddily exclaimed.

On the big day, Mouch asked Pascal if he’d found Monica a gift yet. Pascal admitted he hadn’t tracked down anything perfect enough.

When Monica was here last shift, I noticed a very pretty watch on her wrist,” Mouch said. “Apparently, it’s her sister’s?”

“Yeah, she borrows it some—” Pascal said absently before picking up what Mouch was putting down. “You know what, Mouch, that’s a great idea. Why didn’t I think of it?”

“Maybe you’re too close,” Mouch shrugged with a smile.

Pascal was shattered after Monica never made it to dinner

Later that night, Firehouse 51 rushed to the scene of a car crash. All four traffic lights had gone out in a major intersection, leading to a nasty collision. As one of the drivers stumbled out of his car, paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) swept into action. The other car was hit directly on the driver’s side, where the firefighters found an unconscious victim. They needed the jaws of life to pry the woman free from the vehicle, but when Mouch went to pull the driver out, he made a horrifying discovery.

“This is the Chief’s wife in here,” Mouch told 51. “It’s Monica Pascal.”

There was stunned energy among the group as they hurried to get Monica to Chicago Med. In Ambulance 61, Violet did everything she could to control Monica’s internal bleeding, telling Novak to floor it. “Alright, Monica, hold on, please,” Violet pled. “Please, please hold on.”

Cut to Pascal waiting in a fancy restaurant dressed to the nines. After adjusting Monica’s gift so everything looked perfect, he checked the time. He sighed with relief as his phone rang, picking it up instantly to ask Monica if she was stuck in traffic. But it wasn’t Monica — it was Mouch calling to inform him Monica was at Med.

“Where is she?” Pascal asked urgently after arriving at the hospital.

Trauma 1,” Mouch reported.

“She’ll be OK. She’s strong,” Mouch said, halting at the sight of a devastated Violet. The paramedic was speechless; all she could do was shake her head. Monica didn’t make it.

“You’re wrong,” Pascal said tearfully. He needed answers, rushing to Monica’s hospital room, where he found Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber) removing his gloves. Monica had flatlined.

“I’m so sorry, Dom,” Archer said. Pascal collapsed at Monica’s bedside in shattered disbelief. Pascal took Monica’s limp hand and wept as the entirety of Firehouse 51 watched with stunned heartbreak.