Love Fades at Dusk

...

Daniel sped through red lights, rushing Vivian to the hospital.

Relief should've come, but his chest felt hollow.

Unbidden, my despairing gaze haunted him. It was the same look I had shown when my abusive father beat me.

He'd vowed to erase my pain, yet he'd failed.

Frantic, he dialed my number, but it went to voicemail. He then called his bodyguard, who reported that I had left.

Relieved, he assumed I was just pissed because he hadn't saved me first.

A doctor emerged, telling him that Vivian had woken up.

Daniel set down his phone, abandoning the thought of having his bodyguards search for me. He believed I would be back in a few days.

He walked to her bedside, but staring at her face, he couldn't help but think of me.

He shook his head, trying to shake off the distracting thoughts.

Vivian weakly opened her eyes, but panic set in. "The baby!"

He dropped a kiss on her forehead and stroked her belly. "Safe. Don't worry."

Her face twisted with grievance. "I was so scared. Jesse tried to burn us alive!"

His soothing hand paused. "Let's find you a new place to live."

"What? She tried to kill me," she protested. "She should move out."

He frowned. "I can't do that. Jesse is my wife. I have to make sure of your and our baby's safety."

She tried to argue, but the irritation on his face stopped her. She swallowed her dissatisfaction. "Okay. I'll listen to you."

He pulled her into his arms. "You're the kindest mother-to-be."

She forced a smile, her lips trembling with the effort.

...

That night, he arranged her new home and returned eagerly, expecting me.

But the house was empty. The quietness was unnerving.

In the guest room, my belongings were gone, save for a divorce agreement and my wedding ring on the desk.

Trembling, he walked over and reached for the ring he had placed on my finger before witnesses.

For seven years, I had never taken it off. But now, it was sitting here.

He then picked up the paper, and the words "Divorce Agreement" stared back at him.

His tears fell, staining the characters on the paper.

That was my handwriting, etched into his soul. But those words felt like a knife to the heart.

[I am willing to leave everything behind. Let us part ways with no hard feelings and never see each other again.]

At the bottom, my signature was bold and resolute.

He realized I truly meant to leave.

Whipping out his phone, he called his bodyguards to search for me, but a call from the hospital interrupted him.

Vivian's condition had worsened, and she was readmitted.

Rushing over, he overheard her flirting with a doctor outside her room.

It stopped him cold, and he released his grip on the door handle.

"When can we get the Knapp's assets? Debt collectors are at my door. I've paid some, but I'm afraid they'll come to you next. We should escape," said the man.

"Don't worry, darling. I've driven Jesse away. Just wait a bit longer. Once I have Daniel under control, we'll be together forever," Vivian replied.

Daniel slapped himself, realizing it was all her scheme. He blamed himself for trusting her over me.