All Chapters of After My Last Breath: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

[Elara]I stare at him, unable to believe my eyes.Of all the people who could have saved me… why did it have to be him?What the hell was he even doing in that area at this hour?Was it merely a coincidence?I think about it for a while and realize—it has to be. That’s the only explanation. Right?“Uh… thanks,” I manage after too long, facing forward again. My breath is still shaky, my throat painfully dry.“There’s water in the backseat,” he says. His voice is calm, too calm for someone who just found me like that. He doesn’t even look at me.I glance back, and sure enough—two untouched bottles.I take one, open it, and drink half without stopping.When I lower the bottle, I feel a little human again. “Thanks.”By now, the word has started to feel repetitive coming from my mouth. For a moment, it feels like it’s lost its meaning—just a sound, completely insignificant compared to everything he has done for me recently.“So—”“Why were you alone?” he asks, cutting me off—not rudely, b

He sighs, standing and walking toward the window that probably overlooks the city. “About five years ago, a research project was launched—an ambitious attempt at cardiac cloning. The goal was to replicate a patient’s failing heart and grow a healthier version, eliminating the need to wait for a compatible donor. It was groundbreaking work, something that could have revolutionized pediatric cardiac care. But the project never reached completion. One of the chief researchers—someone vital to the team—left for personal reasons, and without them, the momentum was lost. Because the research was so highly confidential, the identities of the remaining team members were never made public, and the project was quietly put on hold.”My stomach twists. I was that researcher. I left the project the moment I married Damon… and everything I’d built collapsed with my decision.He turns to me, a trace of regret in his eyes. “If that research had continued… I really think it could have saved millions o

[Damon]The moment I step out of Cora’s room, Danny grabs my hand and wraps himself around my legs.“Daddy, are you still mad at me?” he asks, sounding close to tears. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I swear.”Every time he calls me ‘Daddy,’ something inside me twists—tight, uncomfortable. He’s not my son. We all know that. Even Hannah never said he was.He just… started calling me that a month ago, after she left her abusive ex-husband and had nowhere to go. I let it happen because she looked so terrified of everything, flinching at every loud sound. Danny clung to me like I was the only safe thing he knew, and I didn’t have the heart to correct him.I sigh and bend down, wiping his cheeks.“I know, buddy. But you can’t just do whatever you want. Cora is weak. You have to be careful around her. Promise me you won’t do it again.”He nods vigorously. “I promise. I won’t ever touch her. Ever.”“Good. Now Daddy has some work to do. Be a good boy and listen to Mommy, okay?”God, even I feel

[Damon]“Sir, your fifth wedding anniversary is coming up. Would you like to prepare something for Madam?” Jordan—my assistant—reminds me, and I realize this might be the perfect opportunity to make it up to Elara after the past few days of chaos.A lot has happened ever since Hannah returned—I even raised my hand at her… I wonder if she took it to heart. She probably did. Why else would she threaten me with a divorce?Huh. As if she could bear to be without me.Five years. That’s how long it has been since we married, and no matter how badly I treated her, she endured it with a smile. Even when she got angry, a single word from me was enough to make her come running back, almost desperate to please me.There’s no way she actually wants to divorce me.But maybe this time I was a little too harsh—I did yelled at her in the hospital after all.Maybe her anger is justified.I turn to Jordan. “Isn’t the Eternal Love Ruby going up for auction this week?”“Yes, it is.”I smile. “Then get me

Hannah doesn’t seem to appreciate my words. Her eyes flash with sudden anger.“How dare you?” She raises her hand to hit me, but I grab her wrist before she can.“You don’t want to mess with me, Hannah. Trust me.” I shove her away. “Honestly, it would be better for both of us if you just stayed away from me.”She grits her teeth. “You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you?”I don’t respond.“But you’re nothing but an unloved woman. That’s right. No one loves you. Mom and Dad never believed you. Five years with Damon, and he doesn’t even care about your so-called feelings. That daughter of yours is probably the only one who cares about you, but look at her miserable fate. She doesn’t even have that much time left.”As long as she hadn’t brought my daughter into it, I was fine with anything. But the moment she does, my veins burn with anger.“Keep my daughter out of this.”“Why?” She laughs, overjoyed to finally see me snap. “Isn’t it true? A few more days and she probably won’t