All Chapters of A Love That Faded Too Soon: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

It had been two weeks since I was discharged. When I got home, Julia Mars was sitting on the couch, and I had no idea how long she'd been waiting.Her face was dark. A half-packed suitcase sat at her feet.When she saw me, her sharp features twisted into a sarcastic smirk. "Finally decided to show up? You've got some nerve, Harry. I'm gone for a few days on a business trip, and you pull a disappearing act. The documents I asked you to prepare—this is how you handle it?"Without a second's hesitation, she grabbed a stack of blank papers off the table and flung them in my face. The sharp edges stung as they scraped across my cheek.I looked calmly at the papers scattered on the floor, but my mind kept flashing back to those comments online.The doctors had told me about my heart—I just didn't want Julia to worry. So I played the fool and kept running myself ragged for her career. Because I loved her, I figured I'd do as much as I could, spend as much time with her as I had left.Bu

When it came to kids, I knew it had always been a sore spot for Julia.Because of my health, we'd never been able to have children. It was something I'd always felt guilty about.But Julia would just reassure me, saying that as long as I was okay, nothing else mattered.Thinking back on that now, a bitter smile tugged at my lips.I was about to speak when Ken cut in, smoothly sliding between Julia and the crowd of well-wishers. He positioned himself firmly in front of her, shielding her with his body.He flashed a polite smile at the guests and announced, "Sorry, everyone—Julia's pregnant. She can't drink."His gaze flicked casually in my direction, but it hit me like a punch to the chest.My eyes went wide. My pupils shook violently.When Julia met my gaze, a flash of discomfort crossed her face. Then her pleasant voice rang out beside me."Yes. Two months along."The congratulations that followed cut through me like a blade, each one slicing deeper into my chest.My whole

Julia shot up from her chair, her movements frantic. She snatched the courier envelope from her associate's hands.The moment she saw her name on the court summons, her hands started trembling uncontrollably.She took a few deep breaths, then slammed the papers down on the desk. "You had this all planned out, didn't you? Over something this trivial?!"Her eyes were red. She looked like someone whose heart had been trampled on. Anyone watching who didn't know the truth would've thought I was the one who'd wronged her.The commotion drew a crowd. Colleagues gathered at the door, eager to see what was happening."Ten years, Harry! Ten years of marriage! I paid for your medication! I covered every single hospital bill! And now, you think you can just walk away? What about 'till death do us part'—was that all just empty words?!"Julia was shaking with rage. She swept everything off her desk in a fit of fury.Ken rushed to steady her, one hand on her waist. He shot me a venomous look,

The doctor made no effort to hide his displeasure with Julia. After prescribing my follow-up medications, he practically shooed us out.I walked fast, leaving Julia behind.She refused to give up, trailing me closely.Finally, when I slowed down, she grabbed the hem of my shirt, her voice cracking as she asked, "Are you punishing me, Harry? You knew you were running out of time, and you never told me. I thought…"Then that's even more reason I can't let you divorce me."She held on tight, terrified I'd walk away.I watched her fear with a cold, hollow laugh. "Julia, you don't want to let me go because the firm still needs me. You need me as your tool. Without me, you can't survive in this industry. Don't think I don't know exactly what you're after."Julia went pale, like I'd struck a nerve. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but her phone started ringing.It was Ken.Julia hesitated, her hand hovering over the phone, glancing at me. After a long moment, she answered.I

When Julia opened her eyes and saw me, a flicker of light passed through them.She parted her lips to say my name, but no sound came out."Don't force it if you can't speak," I said. "While you still have the strength, just sign the divorce papers."I cut her off before she could get a word out. I pulled the divorce agreement from my bag and laid it across her chest.The light in her eyes died instantly.Her voice was hoarse. "I almost died, Harry. After all that, you still want to divorce me? Why do we have to end up like this?"She spoke in fragments, gasping for air between each phrase.I'd asked myself the same thing.How cruel time could be. We'd gone from high school sweethearts to husband and wife—more than a decade together. From a love so full it could have burst, to this—cold, hollow, empty.I even wondered, if Julia had died in that crash, would I have grieved at all?"There's no 'why.' When the time comes, the connection just breaks."You say you nearly died. But