All Chapters of Love Coated in Dust: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

This was all too familiar, almost eerily identical to what happened in my past life.Cole would return, only for Marie to die in an avalanche. Hannah and I survived the incident, but he killed us later.I tried to figure out how to tell Cole what was coming, but the curtain was suddenly ripped open.The intruders found us. One of them sneered, "Think you could hide here?"Hannah screamed, but the man silenced her with a brutal kick to her forehead, knocking her out."Dang it! I hate women screaming," he hissed, grabbing my hair and pressing a knife to my throat.Fear clawed at me, but I forced it down. "Stop! Hurt us, and you'll never get Cole's encrypted drive."He paused, which confirmed my guess. They weren't just here for revenge. They wanted the company's secrets.I swallowed, noticing a scorpion tattoo on his hand."Mike Turner, right? I'll take you to it," I said. "But you need to guarantee our safety. Your brother's death was an accident. We're willing to pay any compensation."

I paused, then shoved Patrick away."What are you talking about?" I snapped. "This is life and death! How would I lie? You won't save her, fine, but don't make me confess to nonsense."Tears burned my eyes, and I stepped back. In my mind, Patrick was always gentle and doting, but now he felt like a stranger.Cole's voice crackled through the phone. "Patrick, you have ten minutes to convince her. Or you're done as deputy manager. Don't test me."The call cut off. Patrick's face twisted with desperation...."I clawed my way to this position!" he snarled, shoving the phone at me. "You heard him. Call and apologize. Don't screw me over."I slapped the phone away and yelled, "Have I ever lied to you? Can't you trust me just once? Hannah's life is at risk!"His hand cracked across my face, sending me sprawling. Blood dripped from my lips.I stared at his raised hand, my heart sinking."Don't be stupid!" he growled. "Last chance! Would you apologize or not?"He pinned my head to t

Patrick sat nearby, his eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night.He stumbled toward me, relief flickering, but tripped from exhaustion. Once, I would have rushed to his side. Now, I felt nothing but contempt.I ignored his babbling and demanded Hannah's situation.He told me that she was out of danger and had been transferred to the ICU for observation.Relief hit me. I broke down, sobbing."Is your hand hurting? Should I get a nurse?" Patrick reached out.I glared, and he flinched. "Get lost! You know how I got these wounds."He dropped to his knees, slapping himself. "I'm sorry. I should've believed you. Hannah wouldn't be like this if I had."He grabbed a glass ornament from the nightstand and smashed it into his hand. "Will it make things right if I break my hand? I didn't mean to hurt you. It was Cole. He..." Footsteps interrupted. Cole stormed in, furious. "I told you to scold Vicky, not beat her!"He kicked Patrick aside and turned to me. "In the end, this is your faul

Cole's smirk stiffened....After helping me limp to the ICU, he saw how badly injured Hannah was. Casts encased her limbs, and blood seeped through her abdominal bandages."Hannah, can you hear me?" I limped to her bedside, afraid to touch her fragile form.She blinked weakly, a faint acknowledgment.Cole stammered, "What happened? You were faking to trick me. How did you end up like this?"Realizing I wasn't lying, he called the staff for answers.Unfortunately, Marie had bribed them, and they had left with money. Their phones were all dead.Still, Cole kept his head held high and deflected. "This isn't my fault. You brought this on yourself with your jealousy."Hannah's voice, faint but firm, cut through. "Divorce, Cole. I’m done."The room went silent. Even Marie blinked, stunned.Hannah, always docile, had never challenged Cole, no matter how blatantly he flaunted his affairs. "You're joking," Cole said. "What about Aldo? You want him to grow up motherless, mocked by

Cole's belated guilt meant nothing to Hannah.Her body and soul had already suffered unimaginable pain. Even if justice was served, the scars would never fade."Just get out of my sight," she said. "You make me sick. I'll never live with you again. Deal with Marie however you want. Just stay away. Deal with her as you like. If you truly feel guilty, then disappear. The farther, the better. Don't disgust me anymore."Before Cole could respond, I wheeled Hannah out, Patrick escorting us.Cole fell on his knees. He banged his head on the wall and wailed.Outside, Patrick apologized again for hurting me.At least, he was truly remorseful and much better than Cole."I know you'll never forgive me. I did something unforgivable," he muttered. "But ever since that day, I've wanted to make it right. Uncovering the truth was the least I could do."The rims of his eyes reddened, and he bowed. "I'm sorry. I don't deserve your forgiveness. I just hope you find someone worthy. I won't bother