Chapter 2

Seraphine shoved me away almost immediately.

I almost lost my footing. Lowering my gaze, I said, "It's bad for a married couple to end up like this. I guess we really weren't meant to spend a lifetime together."

Seraphine's voice stayed cold. "If you'd realized that back then, we wouldn't still be stuck like this now."

"It's my fault." I forced a faint smile. "And I guess the only way I can pay for it is with my life."

She let out a cold laugh. "Like you'd actually go through with it."

I paused for a second, my voice dropping lower. "If I die, I swear I won't love you in the next life."

"Save it for when you're actually dead." She looked away and turned to leave.

The door slammed shut behind her. She walked out again.

The curve on my lips slowly disappeared. I let out a bitter laugh, knowing she still hated me.

Sitting down on the sofa, I reached into the drawer and pulled out another document. It was my medical report. Stage 4 cancer. Those terrible words sat on the last page.

I closed my eyes and took a long moment before opening them again. Then, I tore the report to pieces.

The shredded pieces of paper fluttered to the floor. I stared at the wedding ring on my finger, rubbing it gently with my thumb. Slowly, I slid it off and placed it on the table.

The next morning, I packed up everything I owned and threw it in the car. I didn't even bother with breakfast. I got in the car and drove off, leaving the villa behind.

The car sped forward, the city shrinking in the rearview mirror as I merged onto the coastal highway. I rolled down the window and let the cold wind hit my face. My hair whipped wildly in the breeze.

"Goodbye forever, Seraphine."

I turned the steering wheel sharply to the right, let go, and slammed my foot down on the gas. With a loud bang, the car smashed full speed into the cliffside. The hood crumpled in on itself, and blood trickled down from beneath the driver's seat.