Before My Last Autumn Ends

Vivian reacted first. Her eyes filled with tears. "Nora, what's wrong? Don't scare us."

Julian released my wrist and reached for me, but I stepped back. "Don't touch me."

His hand stayed in the air for a moment before falling to his side. "What are you playing at now, Nora? You pulled this fake-blood stunt three years ago. You really think I'm stupid enough to fall for it twice?"

I looked at him and smiled.

Three years ago, I'd faked the same thing to stop him from going to Vivian.

He'd panicked and rushed me straight to the hospital. On the way, he kept promising me anything I wanted as long as I was okay.

I was secretly thrilled. I wrapped my arms around his neck and said sweetly, "I knew it. I'm the one you love most."

He stopped dead and glared at me. "Are you done, Nora? Faking an illness just to get my attention is pathetic."

His words made me furious. That night, I sent people to wreck Vivian's apartment.

Vivian ran straight to Julian afterward. He threatened to have me arrested and said a few nights in jail might finally teach me a lesson.

My parents couldn't stand watching him treat me that way. They called Julian an animal and begged me to leave him for good.

But I refused. Losing him felt like losing to Vivian.

How could seven years together mean less than a woman who had just walked into his life?

So I made scenes. I fought him every chance I got. Eventually, Julian and I couldn't stand being in the same room.

Then, just when I thought we would keep hurting each other forever, disaster struck.

My obsession with saving the marriage had cost me my parents. Now the illness I'd once faked had become real.

I wiped the blood from my lips. The metallic taste lingered on my tongue. I smiled. "You're right. I faked it."

Vivian stepped toward me. "Don't be angry, Nora. It's my fault. I shouldn't have made that wish."

Julian put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "This has nothing to do with you. She always finds something to get upset about."

Then he looked at me, his expression turning cold. "It's Vivian's birthday. Did you really have to ruin it? What exactly do you want?"

What exactly did I want? I'd heard that question from Julian more times than I could count.

Whenever I asked why he'd left me for her again, his answer was always the same. "What exactly do you want?"

He always made it sound like I was the problem. Like my pain was just another tantrum he had to deal with.

"I want a divorce," I said.

Julian froze for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "I'm not falling for this again, Nora. Your parents are gone. There's no one left to spoil you or clean up your messes."

Vivian tugged at his sleeve, right on cue. "Julian, don't bring that up. You know how much it hurts her. It's my birthday. I don't want anyone fighting because of me."

Then she suddenly swayed and fell against his chest. Her face had gone pale. "Julian, I'm feeling dizzy."

Julian caught her immediately and swept her into his arms. "What is it? Have you been skipping meals again?"

His face tightened with worry. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

He walked straight past me with Vivian in his arms.

"Nora." He stopped at the door. "I'll have the housekeeper clean up the mess you made. We'll talk when I get back."

Then he left, and the house fell silent.

I bent down and gathered the torn divorce papers, one piece at a time.

A sharp pain tore through my stomach. It felt like something was ripping me apart from the inside.

I dropped into a crouch and pressed my face to my knees.

What is there left to talk about, Julian? I don't have much time left.