All Chapters of Fifteen Days to Goodbye: Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

Richard and Joanne were sitting nearby, both looking uncomfortable.Two years earlier, when Dorian canceled his wedding, he hadn't told them why. He'd only said he wanted to pursue scientific research. His parents had assumed he'd been the one who let Marielle down.They'd always suspected she didn't love him deeply, but they still felt guilty about the broken engagement.During the two years he was gone, Marielle periodically came to their neighborhood and lingered outside the building. She rarely approached them, yet it was obvious she was looking for Dorian.For the last six months, she'd appeared almost every other day.They'd told her to stop. Dorian had been clear about canceling the wedding, and he wasn't even in Ellerton anymore. Waiting near their home couldn't bring him back.Still, her persistence had softened their opinion of her. They'd even discussed encouraging their son to reconsider once he returned.Then they'd learned that Dorian was coming home with a new fia

Marielle stared at him, baffled.Dorian continued, "If you loved me, why did you never buy me a birthday gift without being asked? Why wouldn't you travel with me? Why would you get pregnant with another man's child and take wedding pictures with him?"His voice tightened."I have feelings too, Marielle. I get hurt. If that's what your love looks like, I don't want it."Her face grew paler with every question.She desperately wanted to argue. But when she searched her memories, she found that each accusation was true.Finally, she managed, "I only did those things for Elias because I thought he saved me. If I'd known it was you, I never would have...""Enough."Dorian cut her off.After two years, she still thought Elias was their only problem."If it hadn't been Elias, it would have been some other man with some other excuse. And even if Elias really had saved your life, there were a hundred ways to repay him. Why did it have to be you carrying his child?"He looked at her

Marielle managed a small, weary smile."It was worth it."She drew a careful breath."When you saved me, it must have hurt this much too."Dorian urged her to rest, but she shook her head."I wasn't trying to follow you around. After what you said yesterday, I thought about everything. I finally understand. I treated your love like something I could use up without consequence. I hurt you."Her words came slowly, but each one was deliberate."I went out today because I wanted to tell you how much I regret it. I couldn't work up the courage to approach you. Then I saw the man behind you pull a knife. I didn't think about anything except keeping you safe."Years earlier, such a confession might have changed Dorian's world.Now too much had happened. He wasn't the man who'd spent twenty years waiting for her to love him.He was grateful to her. That was all.Marielle understood his silence, but she wanted to ask one final question."If Elias had never come into our lives, would