My Terminal Diagnosis, His Cruel Divorce

ough the fabric and chilling her skin. A sudden, violent cramp seized her stomach. She bent forward, her breath hitching as a wave of nausea washed

nated only by the city lights bleeding through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Gerard stood there.

d to tell him about the hospital. She

armth. He did not ask why she was soaked. He did not ask why she was pale and trembling

he smooth surface and fell off the edge

e crisp white paper glared u

s throat, squeezing until her lungs burne

to the roaring thunder outside. "Kena is back. Her condition is worsening. I do

years, long before the marriage contract, long before he became the CEO of the Crosby empire. Now, all of it was reduced to a joke

ke broken glass. "We made a promise to yo

ield. We both know why you signed that contract two years ago. You want

reed shattered her remaining pride. The terminal diagnosis in her pocket was crushed into a tig

ntblanc pen from his inner pocket and held it out

ng his dark eyes for a single trace of the warmth they had shared over the last two years. She looked for the man

Patek Philippe watch. "I need to be at the hospital. Kena is wa

o. Adaline took a sudden step backward, her heel catching the edge of the entryway rug

ainst the marble floor. The loud cras

lash of deep disgus

gather the broken pieces. A sharp edge sliced deep into her index finger. Dark red bl

ed forward on pure instinct, his hand r

is phon

. The custom ringtone he ha

ad been burned. He reached into his pocket and a

by a gentle, soothing tone that Adaline had never heard direct

ked into the carpet. Her heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice. The tears she had

od on the floor with a blank expression. "Tell th

toward the door. He brushed past Adaline's shoulder wi

shook, but she forced herse

d on the brass doorknob

asked, her voice raw and completely broken. "

g. Gerard stood perfectly still for

daline. Do not entertain

ained the last ounce of strength from Adaline's body. She collapsed

. She stared at the words. Advanced Stomach Cancer. A low, agonizing sob tore out of her throat. She

to a tight ball on the rug, gasping for air. Cold sweat soaked through her clothes, ma

dark space. It was a text from her best friend, Clara.

rs were stiff and covered in dried blood. She t

erself up. Her joints ached, but she forced herself to put one foot in fro

a ghost. Dark circles bruised the skin under her e

violently against her face. The shocking cold numbed her skin and cleared the fog in

dried her face. She walked back out into the living ro

d had already signed it. His signat

a pen. Instead, she walked over to the console table, opened the top drawer, and threw the papers inside. She slamm