Mag-log inThat night felt longer than usual for Ethan.
He stood by the window of his apartment, staring out without truly seeing anything. The city lights flickering in the distance did nothing to distract him from the one thing that had been circling his mind ever since he left the hospital.
His hand still held his phone. The screen lit up again and again—only to go dark just as quickly, without a single notification.
No messages.
No calls.
No response.
“Stran
The door to Nocture opened slowly, the small bell above it chiming softly as it welcomed Auri’s return after several days in the hospital.The air inside the shop felt familiar. The scent of fresh flowers, faintly sweet and soothing, wrapped around her like something she had missed all this time without fully realizing it.She paused for a moment at the doorway, letting herself feel the room again, before finally stepping inside with careful movements.“You’ve been standing there too long,” Gia’s voice called from within, half teasing. “Are you coming in, or planning to become part of the display?”Auri smiled faintly, then stepped farther inside. “I was just… making sure everything was still the same.”“And?” Gia asked, glancing over as she adjusted a floral arrangement on the table.Auri let her eyes travel around the room. “It is.”Then her steps s
The hospital room felt far calmer than it had a few days ago. There were no more hurried footsteps rushing through the corridor, no more suffocating sense of panic tightening in the chest. Only the soft rhythm of medical monitors, blending with the late afternoon light that streamed through the window, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and quiet.Auri sat half-reclined against the bed, one hand resting lightly over her stomach. She could feel the small movements there, movements that had now become the clearest reminder that she still had something precious to protect.Gia sat in the chair beside her, flipping through a magazine she was not truly reading. Every now and then, she glanced at Auri, making sure the woman did not look too exhausted.“Have you eaten?” she asked at last.Auri nodded faintly. “A little.”“A little is not enough,” Gia replied without looking up. “The doctor said you need to
It was well past midnight when the door finally opened.There were no hurried footsteps, no sharp edge of irritation that had accompanied Ethan’s return for the past few months. Only silence—strange, unfamiliar silence—as if the house no longer recognized the man who had just stepped inside.The living room light was still dim, casting long shadows across the cold marble floor. Ethan stood there for a few seconds at the threshold, his hand still resting on the doorknob, before he stepped in and closed the door quietly behind him.No sound.No greeting.No Auri.He walked further into the room, only to stop in the middle of it, his gaze settling on the sofa they used to share. His breath caught without him realizing it. Everything from today replayed in his mind—the courtroom, the judge’s voice, the staff’s confession, Anna’s tear-streaked face. It all blurred together, striking him again and again wi
The courtroom that day felt quieter than usual—not because it was empty, but because everyone present seemed to understand—this was the end.The seats were filled just enough, not crowded, yet sufficient to witness something that had been stretched for far too long. On the plaintiff’s side, Ethan sat upright, his jaw set tight, while beside him, his lawyer prepared the final documents. Across from him, the opposing seat remained empty, occupied only by Auri’s legal team. Her absence was no longer a question—her condition was known, and the judge had granted permission.“We will now proceed with the final ruling in this divorce case,” the judge announced, his voice firm but measured. “The defendant is represented by legal counsel.”Auri’s lawyer rose. “That is correct, Your Honor. Our client is unable to attend due to her health condition.”The judge gave a brief nod. “Ve
Recovery came at a much slower rhythm than the days before, as if Auri’s body had forced the world around her to slow down with it. The hospital room, now strangely familiar, no longer felt as intimidating as it had when she was first brought in. Morning light filtered softly through the window, settling over the white blanket that covered her.Auri lay propped up, one hand resting on her stomach. She felt the small movements beneath her palm—no longer something that sparked panic, but something that grounded her, calmed her.“The heartbeat is stable,” the doctor said after finishing the check-up, offering a faint smile. “And your condition has improved significantly.”Auri nodded slowly. “So… everything is alright?”“For now, yes,” the doctor replied. “But you still need to take care of yourself. We’ve scheduled the most optimal time for your delivery, based on your latest con
The harsh white lights of the hospital corridor felt almost blinding as Auri was rushed into the treatment room, the wheels of the gurney echoing against the cold walls. Her breathing was uneven, one hand clutching her stomach while the other gripped the edge of the bed tightly. The pain came in waves, making it impossible to focus on anything but enduring it.“Stay calm, ma’am, we’ll take care of you,” a nurse said, her voice quick but practiced.“My… my baby…” Auri’s voice broke, her eyes beginning to glisten.“Focus on your breathing,” the doctor instructed as he began examining her, his hands moving swiftly yet carefully. “We’re here.”Outside the room, Gia stood pale, her hands still trembling after helping Auri inside. Lucas stood a short distance away, his expression composed—but the look in his eyes betrayed a tension far deeper than he let on.&ldqu
“It really is.” Auri quickly took out her phone. “Please, may I have your bank account number? I’ll transfer the excess back.”Lucas chuckled softly. “Consider it an additional token of appreciation.”“I can’t accept this.”
Gia’s sentence faltered. She swallowed hard and covered her mouth, as if afraid she might say something wrong. On the other end of the line, Roy’s voice came through again—firmer this time.“I can’t explain it over the phone, Gia. It would be better if you both came to the hospital now.”Gia frowne
“Thank you for driving me home, Mr. Lucas,” Auri said just before stepping out of his car.“I truly enjoyed our meeting, Miss Aurel—”“Could you just call me ‘Auri’?” she interrupted gently.Lucas looked momentarily surpri
The red sports car glided smoothly through the midday traffic of the city.Auri sat upright. She had tried to relax, but the situation still felt awkward. Her hands were clasped together over the small bag resting on her lap as she continued trying to understand where Lucas was leading the







