All Chapters of 18 Delays Later: Too Late for Tears: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I knew that Ethan, who had promised at noon to come home, wouldn't be returning.This kind of situation had happened far too many times during our six months of marriage.After I finished eating, I didn't leave any food out for him like I used to. Instead, I opened my laptop and logged into my email.In my inbox lay offers from law firms across more than a dozen countries.Moving the cursor, I hovered over the email from a firm in France and clicked accept without a single second thought.Then, I booked a flight to Paris for two days later.The next morning, I began packing my bags.In the master bedroom closet, my clothes occupied the left side, and Ethan's filled the right.Lately, his side was crowded with bright, colorful shirts—the kind he would have never touched in the past. But ever since Chelsea arrived, she had insisted that dressing casually made him seem approachable and popular with clients. Because of that, the high-end tailored suits I had once carefully picked o

The moment the plane broke through the heavy layer of clouds, I turned off my phone.Outside the window lay a blinding expanse of white, so sharp it made my eyes ache. I closed them, and fragments of the past five years flashed across my mind.The first time I saw Ethan at the law firm, he had been wearing a dark gray suit, speaking eloquently during a mock trial. On our first date, he had taken me to a casual roadside food stall, telling me that was where real life happened. The first time I met his parents, he had squeezed my hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid. I'm right here."On our wedding day, he had drunk a bit too much. He held me tightly and murmured, "Summer, being able to marry you is the greatest blessing of my life."A blessing.I opened my eyes and smiled faintly. Blessings, it seemed, also had an expiration date.After a twelve-hour flight, I finally landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at seven o'clock in the evening, local time.The moment I turned my pho

My French became more and more fluent, and I grew increasingly comfortable with my responsibilities at the office. Pierre even mentioned that by next spring, he would let me handle a case entirely on my own.That evening, after finishing some overtime work, I walked back to my apartment building and spotted a familiar figure waiting downstairs.He was bundled up in a black overcoat, standing beneath a streetlight with a bouquet of flowers cradled in his hands. The moment he caught sight of me, he walked over with quick, urgent steps."Summer."It was Ethan.He had lost so much weight that he looked entirely unrecognizable. His eyes were deeply sunken, his cheekbones protruded sharply, and his lips were dry and cracked. He looked like someone who hadn't eaten a proper meal or slept a full night in months.I stood completely still, making no move toward him. "Why are you here?""I came to find you," he said, his voice incredibly hoarse. "I couldn't wait any longer.""Wait for wha

I didn't offer a response."I know whatever I say right now is useless," Ethan murmured, wiping away his tears. "But I really have changed. I had Chelsea reassigned, and I've completely cut off all contact with her."Every single day, all I do is think about you—wondering what you're eating, how you're sleeping, and how your work is going. I want to call you, but I'm terrified of bothering you. I want to come find you, but I'm so scared you'll despise me."He looked up at me, his eyes entirely bloodshot. "But I couldn't hold it in anymore. Without you, I can't survive."I looked directly into his eyes. In them, I saw terror, pleading, sincerity, and overwhelming guilt."But I don't love you anymore," I said softly.The entire apartment plunged into a deathly silence. It took a long time before he spoke again, his voice sounding as raw and hoarse as sandpaper."Is there... really no chance left for me?"I didn't say a word.He stared into my eyes, as if searching for a differen