로그인A light drizzle moistened the cold cemetery ground. Under the shade of a frangipani tree dripping with the last of the rain, I stood frozen, staring at the man in front of me. Rex looked exactly the same as ever. He looked as cool as ever in a neat shirt that hugged his sturdy frame. Just seeing him standing there filled my chest with an incredible sense of relief, but as he stepped closer, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over me.Rex’s footsteps sounded closer and closer on the wet ground. Imagining the worst-case scenario I might have to face made me reflexively shut my eyes tight. I clenched my fingers in front of my chest.“Rex, I know I was wrong! I’ve made so many mistakes with you!” I whispered with a heavily trembling voice, holding my breath so my tears wouldn’t break through.He stood still, so close that I could feel the warmth of his body. Yet, no shouts or harsh words came from his lips.I mustered the courage to slowly open my eyes, meeting Rex’s eagle-like gaze, which r
“Emma, it looks like Rex has really left this city.”Dee’s words drifted softly through the crowded airport lobby. My footsteps froze instantly. A sudden chill crept from the tips of my toes and pierced my chest. Tears streamed down my face, soaking my cheeks, which felt colder and colder."Dee, are you sure? How do you know he’s really gone?" I asked in a trembling voice, clutching Dee’s sleeve tightly. My breath came in rapid gasps as I fought off the tightness in my chest that was suffocating me.Dee didn’t answer right away. She slowly pointed toward the large flight information board in the lobby. There, Rex’s name and main flight number were clearly listed as "ready for takeoff."An overwhelming sense of guilt struck my heart. On the way back to the apartment, I could only sit in gloomy silence. Once inside, I sat down on the sofa, crossed my legs, and clenched my fingers, staring blankly ahead."Dee, I'm terrible, aren't I?" I whispered, not daring to look at her face. "I'm the
"Rex’s flight is scheduled for nine o’clock sharp, Emma. We don’t have much time left. It takes at least thirty minutes to get from this hospital to the airport if traffic is light," Dee said in a weak voice. It was as if she herself had begun to give in to the circumstances weighing on us.“Please, Dee, take me there right now. I’m begging you,” I pleaded, clutching her fingers tightly. My eyes radiated a profound plea the total surrender of a woman who didn’t want to lose her true love a second time.Dee looked straight at me, searching my eyes for any lingering doubt. After making sure that I was serious about my decision, she finally nodded in resignation."All right. I’ll take care of the paperwork for your emergency discharge right away. But you have to promise me not to push yourself if you don’t feel up to it later,” she said, hurrying out of the treatment room.The process of handling the medical paperwork felt excruciatingly slow, making every passing second feel like tortur
"Emma! Where have you been all night?!" Dee exclaimed, grabbing both of my cold shoulders. She was truly worried about me."I...I just came back from Alex's grave," I replied softly, my pale lips trembling.Dee stared at the dark circles under my eyes in disbelief. "I was so worried because you didn't come back to your room since early this morning. Didn't you sleep at all last night, Emma?"I could only slowly shake my head; my vision suddenly felt blurry and hazy. "Come on, let's get ready right away and meet Rex at the airport. We can’t be late.”But just as I was about to step through the apartment door with my right foot, the entire room suddenly started spinning. A gray haze slowly engulfed my vision, obscuring the quiet hallway of the apartment building. An overwhelming sense of exhaustion mixed with the emotional strain of the night robbed me of all my strength in an instant. My frail body staggered and collapsed onto the cold marble floor.Before total darkness engulfed my co
"Emma, you have to take good care of yourself from now on."Rex's warm lips landed gently on my forehead, conveying all the sincerity in his heart. Under the fading glow of the restaurant lobby lights, I slowly closed my eyes. I savored every second of the overwhelming sense of comfort flowing into my chest. However, that warmth didn’t last long. Rex pulled away, releasing his embrace gently, never trying to pressure or force his will upon me. He truly understood my situation and chose not to be selfish tonight.He turned on his heel and walked away to meet Dee, who had been waiting for him in another room all along. I stood frozen, staring at his back as it grew distant and finally vanished behind the glass door.A profound sense of loss suddenly overwhelmed me. My hands moved slowly to trace the surface of my now-swelling belly. I felt the tiny heartbeat within as tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes."Rex, if only you hadn't hidden such a big secret from me all this tim
“Emma, why did you suddenly go so quiet?”Rex’s baritone voice broke the silence in the dimly lit, secluded corner of the restaurant where we were sitting. He looked at me with an incredibly gentle gaze, which was a stark contrast to his stiff black tuxedo. Alex’s documents still lay on the marble table in front of us, as if demanding the attention that had been deliberately diverted. I turned my face toward the glow of the wall lamp, clasping my fingers tightly together on my lap to hide the inner tremors growing stronger."I don't want to open or read any documents tonight, Rex. I’m too tired to think,” I said softly, letting out a long sigh. The weight on my chest was already too heavy to bear.Rex fell silent for a moment. A faint trace of disappointment flashed across his stern face. The next second, however, that expression was replaced by an incredibly gentle gaze the kind that always made me feel completely exposed."All right, if you're set on divorcing me, I won't stand in y
"Isla, sweetheart, look at Daddy. Nothing will ever change our love for each other in this house."Rex quietly placed a glass of water on the wooden nightstand, then shifted to sit on the edge of my hospital bed. He cradled Isla’s tiny, sobbing body in his strong arms while wrapping his other arm a
"Get married? You’re joking, right? We don’t even know each other’s favorite colors yet, Rex."I stared at him wide-eyed. I let the fork in my hand slip, and it clinked softly against the porcelain plate. Behind the man’s sturdy frame, a huge wave crashed against the rocks. The white foam burst ins
"Do you still have this number, or am I just too stupid for only realizing it now?"I whispered to my own reflection in the fogged-up bathroom mirror. Behind the glass stall, the sound of the shower masking the tremor in my shattered voice. I sat on the cold porcelain floor, hugging my knees while
"Alex, does the color of this dress still leave you spellbound?" I twirled in front of the large mirror that reflected my own image. This maroon silk felt so soft against my skin, hugging my curves perfectly. Outside, the Australian snow has begun to fall, wrapping the tree branches in a cold whit







