All Chapters of Life Is So Much Sweeter Without You: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

As Winona was dragged past Chester, she fought back and grabbed his sleeve. The next second, she met a pair of bloodshot eyes that blazed with hatred. She froze, and he flung her off roughly.The venue fell silent, leaving only Chester and Simon behind, looking distraught.Chester's assistant, who'd gone to the hospital, returned. "Mr. Chester, Ms. Rutherford isn't at the hospital. The nurse said her grandmother passed away a week ago…""What?" Chester and Simon stiffened, staring at the assistant in disbelief. "No way. Why didn't she say anything if her grandma died?"The assistant hurriedly said, "The time of death was last Friday at 11:00 pm. I double-checked."Last Friday—the night of their get-together in that private room. Could it be that Noelle had overheard their conversation and chosen not to tell them about Marie's death?Chester suddenly remembered how Winona had taken his phone to check on him when they'd been at the airport. He pulled it out and saw dozens of missed

Late at night, inside a private room at a club, Chester and Simon kept plying themselves with liquor. A pile of empty bottles already lined the table.Their friends, who had once schemed and planned alongside them, sat in a circle around them. However, what had once been a rowdy, lively atmosphere had fallen into dead silence."Chester, stop drinking!" Keith Miller snatched the glass from Chester and reached for Simon's next. "Things have already turned out this way. Booze won't fix anything.""Exactly," someone else chimed in. "Why exactly are you drinking, anyway? Is it for your inheritance, Winona, or Noelle? Tell us, and we'll help you analyze the situation."Chester and Simon finally stirred from their drunken state at the mention of Noelle's name."Elle…" Chester picked up his glass again. He swirled the liquor, tipped his head back, and took a swig.Before Winona's return, his heart had belonged to her. He'd convinced himself that anything with Noelle was just an act—no re

"My retribution?" Winona's vision went dark from the pain.She stared at Chester and Simon, who remained impassive to her predicament. Her eyes burned with resentment and hatred.Then, she laughed. "You're lecturing me about retribution? What about you two? You think you're any better? You two cooked up a scheme like that to deceive a woman—you'll face retribution, too! Sure, I hurt Noelle, but it's nothing compared to your calculated deception and casual cruelty!Her breathing faltered from the pain; even her voice trembled. Still, the thrill of revenge pushed her to bite down and keep going when she saw Chester's and Simon's faces turn steely."You two are the ones who hurt her the most! God, you make me laugh. Chester, that 'heartfelt' confession you made in your apology video is laughable at best. Noelle will never, ever forgive you!"With that, Winona passed out.The room fell silent, leaving Chester and Simon clenching their fists tightly, unable to suppress the panic clawi

It had been half a month since Noelle's arrival at the war zone. Aside from the panic and confusion on the first day, she'd adapted quickly to life there.Every day, she treated countless wounded. People were injured from blades, stray bullets, and explosions. Some died the moment they reached the hospital, and most of those who survived would still face life with missing limbs.In just a week, she'd seen grieving families torn apart, lovers who refused to leave one another, and siblings like the pair she'd encountered earlier. There were many stories like theirs.She'd gone from aching sorrow at the beginning to a grim kind of routine now. Here, she had no time to dwell on the bullying, the deceit, and the manipulation she'd suffered in the past. She didn't even have time to unlock her phone and check what was happening back home.In the face of so much death, the pain that once cut to the bone felt insignificant. To be alive and with all four limbs intact already felt like a bles

Simon held Chester, feeling panicked. They'd waited outside the war zone for 72 hours, staying put until the approvals and paperwork had finally cleared. Then, they'd followed the convoy in.Once inside, they'd moved with the trucks, handing out supplies and searching for Noelle at every stop. They had only reached the second encampment when the attack hit.Chester was shot.With no way to treat him on the spot, they had to follow the medical supply truck to the nearest field hospital. On the way, Chester slipped fully into unconsciousness.Simon wanted to barrel into the hospital with Chester in his arms. But when he looked up, he spotted Noelle in the crowd. Her expression was as cold as ice, and her gaze was complicated.Simon froze as joy filled his eyes. Noelle was alive! She wasn't dead!Elation washed over him, but the harsh reality they were in soon chased it away. He headed straight for Noelle, his eyes rimmed red and his voice hoarse as he said, "Elle, Chester's been sh