All Chapters of The Childless Sky: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

For eight years of marriage, Hannah Larsen had ended eight pregnancies, chasing after some impossible dream of love.Today marked our anniversary, and she breezed out the door, teasing me with promises of a surprise tonight.I stumbled upon a pregnancy test tucked away in a drawer, and my heart soared, thinking we might finally have a baby on the way.I had even brought Grandpa from the old family home, ready to celebrate.However, instead of joy, I was blindsided by the ninth notice of a miscarriage from the hospital.The shock hit Grandpa hard, triggering a heart attack right there and then.I scrambled to get him to the hospital, my calls to Hannah disappearing into the void.By the time I got back home, it was way past midnight.The moment I opened the door, there was Hannah, dolled up in a skimpy skirt, snuggled up on the couch with Jack Freeman.Jack gave me that smug look, like he owned the place.I was about to lose it, but Hannah cut in, like nothing fazed her. "You

Chapter 2

"Hannah, why'd you sneak out while I was still snoozing? You promised I'd wake up to your face," the voice on the phone whined.Hannah shot me a look and hushed her voice. "Left my toiletries behind yesterday. Didn't want you to catch me looking a mess."I couldn't care less about their lovey-dovey talk and headed out.Last night, along with the divorce papers, I dropped my resignation at work.A notification popped up: my resignation was already processed.Stepping into the office, I was greeted by Jack's booming laugh."Marvin, you're late, man. Hannah said the latecomer has gotta treat everyone to coffee!"I brushed him off and started clearing my desk.However, Jack was itching for a scene, knocking my computer to the floor and stomping on it."Hey, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me? Go get that coffee, or I'll have to snitch to Hannah!"I spun around, ready to retort, but Jack grabbed my arm. Without thinking, I clocked him right in the face.He yelped and toppled

Chapter 3

I was surprised by my leader's swift action; he had sorted everything out so quickly.Hearing the familiar voice on the phone, Hannah's delicate fingers clenched the fabric of her dress."Who's on the line?"Jack noticed the shift in conversation and began to stir."Hannah, I've had a fall, and my back is killing me. Please… help me get to… my medication."Hannah always put Jack first, dropping any conversation with me, no matter how serious, to tend to his needs.As they left, close and cozy, I spoke into the phone with a steady voice, "Understood, I'll be at the hospital tonight."I pulled out the wedding photo I had just packed, giving it a long look. It used to be my motivation for all those late nights at work, but then, it meant nothing to me.Without a second thought, I tossed it into the trash.Hannah came back shortly, her cheeks flushed and her clothes slightly askew. She did not get mad at the sight of our wedding photo in the trash; instead, she looked taken aback.

Chapter 4

Hannah, ever the perceptive wife, blushed at his playful antics and nudged his shoulder lightly. "Oh, cut it out. Act your age," she teased with a mix of annoyance and affection.Her laughter died as she caught sight of me by the doorway, luggage in tow, her face draining of color. She rose, words of explanation on her lips, but I brushed past her, retreating into my grandfather's sanctuary.Grandpa had come, thrilled about Hannah's pregnancy, bringing with him a trove of childhood toys he had crafted. The nostalgia warmed me, and I planned to place them in our bedroom, but Hannah icily shot down the idea. "This junk will just give me allergies," she declared, and ordered the help to toss them out. Grandpa's heartache was palpable, yet he bore it silently, later salvaging the toys to hide in his room.Then, tears traced my cheeks as I remembered Grandpa's frail form in the hospital bed. I should never have let him witness this. No, I should never have stayed with her, I lamented i

Chapter 5

However, to his surprise, Hannah jolted up from the bed as if she had been shocked.Jack was in the dark about the full terms of the agreement, unaware that one of the grievances was Hannah's abortion, done to clear the way for Jack's future child."Why? Is it wrong to want a child for Jack? Jack's dying, with just six months left. In the end, won't I still be with you? If it bothered you, why didn't you say something sooner?"Without realizing it, Hannah's feelings took a sharp turn.Jack's hand, once a source of warmth and affection, then filled her with an unsettling anxiety."I need to use the restroom."With that, she did not head for the bathroom in the master bedroom but bolted to the guest bathroom in the living room, making sure to lock the door.Taking deep breaths, she tried to reassure herself with hopeful thoughts and typed out a text.[Marvin, did you send that text to the wrong person?]Her grip on the phone was desperate, mirroring the times I used to message h

Chapter 6

He tried to stir the pot once more."Looks like he's cut you off. Chasing after a guy who ducks responsibility like that… What's the point? Even if you get him back now, he's just going to keep giving you the cold shoulder."…This time, Hannah did not just go along with Jack's words like she always did. Instead, she paused, deep in thought, a rare sight that sent Jack into a panic. His previous attempts at driving a wedge had been simple but effective, all thanks to Hannah's favoritism towards him. Sensing that favoritism was fading, he stopped short, afraid to say more.Jack watched Hannah, who was squatting down, looking lost. After a moment's thought, he hatched a new plan, deciding to back off to gain ground."Hannah, what if we do this? If we can't reach him by phone, let's just go to the hospital and find him. Some things just don't come across right in a call; it's better to talk it out in person."Hearing that, Hannah jumped up."You're right, Jack! He must have sent

Chapter 7

The moment I stopped speaking, the hallway fell into a sudden hush.Then, a voice I knew all too well broke the silence. "Dear! Is that really you?"Blinking in disbelief, I saw her: Hannah, standing there.She wriggled free from the restraining hands of security and doctors, dashed over to me, and clutched my hands tightly."I know we've had our misunderstandings, but we're still married, right? We can work it out, just us," she said, forcing a smile."Dear!" I had not heard that word since Jack returned from abroad, and it sounded so foreign then.The Hannah before me, almost groveling, seemed utterly ridiculous.They said people only regretted when they had lost something. Now, as I was ready to walk away, her desperate pleas seemed meaningless.I withdrew my hand sharply, my voice icy."Sorry, but the divorce papers are signed. As of today, we're no longer married. Whatever misunderstandings you're talking about, they don't matter to me anymore. Please, don't bother me or

Chapter 8

"Hannah, Marvin's still fuming. Don't stir the pot. He adores you, and once he cools off, he'll come back. It's just a phone call away for you."He laid extra weight on those last words, a not-so-subtle jab at me: man up and do not turn back.I was over his mind games, but Hannah was still lost in the fog.Maybe I had been too soft before, and she had bought it all. She called through the door."I'll leave you be for now, take care of Grandpa. I'm heading home to clean up the bedroom, ready for when you come back."With that, Jack helped Hannah down the stairs.That's when they nearly bumped into a squad of soldiers in full gear.Curiosity piqued, Hannah glanced back and saw them march straight into my ward.Before long, the soldiers wheeled out Grandpa's bed, with me in tow.Hannah tried to follow but got a firm shove from two soldiers at my side."Ma'am, please step back!"She had already cried herself dry, and that shove sent her tumbling down.It took her a minute, but

Chapter 9

Jack stood there, his emotions swinging wildly from deep sadness to elation, his heart on an emotional roller coaster.He held back this time, realizing that Hannah's relentless behavior would only leave her more deeply wounded.All he needed to do was offer her a warm shoulder when the dust settled, and everything would be alright.As the helicopter faded from Hannah's sight, the dying echo of its blades pounded in her chest like distant thunder.Eventually, she could not stand it anymore and just crumbled.…After the plane touched down, Grandpa was whisked away to the best medical care available.The esteemed leader himself escorted me to the reception dinner.Inside the lab building, over twenty researchers stood ready.We walked into the hall to a synchronized round of applause.With a simple hand gesture from the leader, the clapping ceased."Everyone, this is Marvin Rogers," he said, beaming with pride. "Marvin, care to share a few words?"I cleared my throat, "Since

Chapter 10

Lost in thought, I was jolted back to reality when Grandpa, lying in his hospital bed, broke the silence. "Marvin, I appreciate you and Sunny visiting me, but I just can't get used to this place. Now that I'm feeling a bit better, how about we head back to the old homestead for some rest?" The doctor, doing his rounds, agreed, "He's right, a peaceful recovery spot is what you need…" With the doctor's backing, I could not argue. Plus, it was the perfect excuse to catch Hannah's wedding and finally get that divorce paper signed, a clean break for both of us. That night, when I got the green light from my leader to take some time off, he even suggested Sunny tag along. Once Grandpa was settled and I had left some cash for Uncle, I could finally relax. The wedding invite said the ceremony was in the afternoon, and as I was about to book a ride, Sunny piped up, "We're not seriously going like this, are we? Let's hit the mall and find something snazzy to wear." Glancing down at m

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