A Love Beyond Life

Unexpectedly, my foot slipped and I accidentally fell to the cliff. At the moment of falling down, I even thought that it would be better to die like this. After all, there was nothing left in this world worth holding on to.

However, fate had other plans. Maybe this was my punishment for past mistakes. Instead of crashing straight to my death, I hit a tree branch on the way down, which slowed my fall. The pain was unbearable. My leg was severely broken, the bone almost visible through the torn flesh.

I had a small first-aid kit, some water and a bit of food. If it were daytime, I might've been able to hold on until rescue arrived. That was if someone even reported me missing. Still, the real problem was the mountain's unpredictable weather. Once the sun went down, the temperature would drop drastically.

I had only worn a thin jacket for convenience while hiking. I opened my bag, only to remember I'd given the food to Mila earlier when she said she was hungry. My phone's screen was shattered and there was no signal. I had no way of knowing which direction to go to find coverage.

I grabbed a dry branch, trying to prop myself up, but the moment I moved, I realized I couldn't feel anything below my waist. At that moment, I gave up. I dropped the branch and lay back wholly. Even if I died here, no one would care.

At the hotel where I worked, I was always alone. The only person who ever spoke to me was Lior, the cheerful one. Other than that, I had no close connections. The sky darkened. The damp air crept into my bones, making me feel even colder.

I found a sticky note and a pen in my bag, intending to write a farewell letter. Too bad my hands were trembling so much that I could barely form words. In the end, I only managed to write a single sentence, less than I had written when I left the hospital back then. "I'm sorry. I love you."

I didn't remember when I lost consciousness. I didn't even know if I was rescued. All I remember was sinking into an endless darkness, cold and silent. Maybe I really did die, but every now and then, I would hear Jace's voice. Sometimes, he was on the phone. Other times, he was calling out "Honey."

Even in death, why did I still have to hear him showing off his love? Eventually, his voice became fainter and less frequent. Had he finally left? Was I truly dead?

***

After humiliating Sharon, Jace left with Mila in his arms. However, only he knew he didn't feel as good as he made it seem. Once they turned the corner, he let go of her, his usual cold and distant demeanor returning. Mila acted as if she hadn't noticed. She clung to his arm and said sweetly, "Hubby, thank you for standing up for me. I'm so happy."

Jace lowered his gaze, looking at the hand wrapped around his arm. His heart remained unmoved. There was a time when, if Sharon took the initiative to hold his arm in public, his heart would swell with warmth. Maybe that's what happens when you've experienced love at its peak. That bittersweet taste was something only he could understand.