All Chapters of Life Is So Much Sweeter Without You: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

Chester lay on the hospital bed with his head turned to the side, his eyes fixed on the direction Noelle came from. They'd only been apart for half a month, yet it felt like ages—like a century.The only relief was that they were both still alive.Noelle was calm as she met his bloodshot gaze. She didn't soften, nor did she show any disgust or hatred. It was as if she felt nothing. Or maybe every emotion she had was buried deep within her.She checked Chester's wound, gave him an antibiotic injection, matter-of-factly explained the aftercare, then turned to leave."Elle…" Chester's hoarse, weakened voice came from behind her, but she didn't even falter. She kept walking.…The three of them were in the same hospital, yet Chester and Simon could never find a chance to actually speak to Noelle.Aside from the first day's surgery and dressing the wound, she told the nurses to attend to Simon whenever he tried to approach her.She was busy, but she did make an exception for someone

A year later, a plane touched down in Jeston, Kadia.A woman with short hair, a lean frame, and sun-tanned skin strode out of the airport. She walked with purpose, and her eyes sparkled.It was Noelle. Her one-year contract with Doctors Without Borders was over, and she was back.Chester and Simon trailed not far behind her. They'd also changed compared to a year ago. After witnessing life, death, and faith up close, they'd found their own direction and goals. The one thing that hadn't changed was their love for Noelle.Even though she'd treated them like strangers for the past year—she was even more distant with them than she was with her coworkers—their respect for her had only deepened, as had their love.The Gray family had pushed them countless times to come home in the past year, but they'd chosen to stay by Noelle's side, guarding a hopeless love.Noelle booked a hotel room, then went straight to Marie's grave. She bought flowers, a drink, and all sorts of treats. She stoo

Noelle reacted fast. The moment she heard Winona's voice, she saw the flash of silver that flickered to her left. She stepped back and leaned away, narrowly dodging the kitchen knife.Having missed on the first swing, Winona quickly raised the knife and went for a second. That was when Simon rushed forward.As the blade came down, he yanked Noelle toward him and turned, shielding her with his body. In an instant, the knife sliced open the flesh on his back, making blood splatter.Chester lunged to grab Winona. When she saw him, she didn't hesitate. She swung the knife at him, shrieking, "You should go to hell, too!"Noelle was the one she hated most because she'd exposed her and sent her to prison. Chester came next—he'd dumped her the moment she'd gotten into trouble and refused to help raise her child.She could've leveraged her pregnancy to get a one-year bail, during which her family would've pulled strings to work something out. But Chester and Simon had made her miscarry, fo