The Ones We Leave Behind Novels & Stories

“Denial will not help you. The sooner you accept reality, the faster you can deal with it.” “No.” She grits her teeth, then lets out another haunted, “No…” “Let go, Genevieve.” I try to soften my tone, as much as I am able to, but it still comes out firm. Like an order. ** In the tapestry of life, our choices and actions leave a lasting impression. The footprints we leave behind are not just for us but for future generations to follow. We have the opportunity to shape the narrative of our time, to create a legacy of kindness, progress, and love.

Nora Bellweather married a man who never loved her. When she found proof of his betrayal, something in her went quiet and hard. Then, drowning her grief in a dim bar one night, she saw three faces from a past she thought she'd buried for good. The next morning, her husband walked in with three important guests, and she nearly dropped the teapot in her hands. It was them. Older, sharper, wealthier, and dangerous in ways they never used to be. They had once loved her without limits before everything fell apart. Now they were back in her house, in her life, refusing to stay away. Nora cannot forgive what tore them apart years ago, and she will not survive another heartbreak in a marriage that h

"Jim's right. We have responsibilities waiting for us back home. It's been a fantastic getaway, but it's time to face reality." Kendra, her gaze lingering on the view outside, speaks softly. "We'll always have these memories, and I'm grateful for the time we've spent here. It's a chapter of our lives we'll carry with us." As the night deepens, we make plans for our departure. The country, with its breathtaking landscapes and the bond we've forged, will always hold a special place in our hearts. It's a place where we've laughed, explored, and discovered not only the beauty of the little town but also the depths of our friendships.

“It’s will be offical in next week.” A stunned silence stretched between us. “Wait,” Amy said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re… leaving?” I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “We are. We’re leaving the night after the ceremony. We need to go. To find somewhere… otherworldly. Somewhere to build our forever home. For the quads. For Anthony. For Moon. For us.” Andy leaned back slowly, the shock still painted across his face. “Damn. I didn’t think this was coming so soon.”

When the extreme-heat apocalypse arrived, surface temperatures reached 158°F, and the first group of people began moving to Frostpoint Base. As a scientist, my wife had two spots to bring family members with her. Everyone thought she would take me without hesitation. But in the end, she put the name of her graduate student on the application. "He's my student, and he doesn't have his parents with him. I can't bear to leave him alone in a place this hot." She submitted the application without a second thought. Her next words chilled me to the bone. "Ethan, you're different. You've been tough since you were a kid. I know you can survive until the second group is evacuated." I forced a bitter s

We both take her hands, and I try to concentrate on what she's saying and not the nubs on her hands that used to be fingers. "Your love is the kind that very few are blessed with. You're like two pieces of a very special puzzle. Neither piece will ever fit anywhere else but with each other. You two are one, and without the other, neither will ever be whole again. So never ever let go . . . no matter what circumstances or what anyone says. You are one. Your hearts will forever beat for the other." I woke to the sound of the blow dryer in the Jack and Jill bathroom that separated my bedroom with Xavier from Nolan and Quino's. They were talking loudly over the blow dryer. Something about a bike

A lot of used dishes and thank God she washed it all up already. While I was currently picking up the barbecue sticks around. We couldn't leave them around and they might come after us. We can't afford to be called by the local government here if we leave out our barbeque sticks. "Hurry up and let's eat," mom said and took something from inside the house.

That night, while everyone was eating dinner, I made the announcement. “We are leaving Murkwood this Sunday. For good.” The room went quiet. “We are not taking anything with us,” I continued. “All our clothes will be donated. We will only keep what we wear that day and everything else will be replaced.” They all stared at me as if they could not believe that it was really happening. “No furniture. Nothing that ties us back here. And no one tells anyone about this until we leave, is that clear?”

She had walked out of one life with her hands completely still. She had walked into this one the same way. The difference was what she was carrying. Not less. Just hers. Finally, entirely hers. THE END

Angelica's POV Massimo's words finally broke my heart. I put away the pregnancy test report and turned to take out the divorce agreement that I'd kept around for a year. I had already prepared this divorce agreement when Massimo told me I could leave or stay as I pleased last year. It wasn't because I didn't love him but rather because I loved him too much. I knew how much losing an heir would affect him, so I was already prepared to leave at any time to make space for a new Donna who could bear him an heir.