The Collapse of Love: Rising from the Ashes

I frantically dialed Chloe's number.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times I called, she never picked up.

"Family of the patient, come quickly, the patient's condition is critical, it might..."

The nurse rushed over, her urgency palpable.

Seeing my teary eyes, she couldn't help but feel a mix of pity and sympathy.

All this time, I had been alone, bustling about the hospital.

From the few words exchanged, she had learned about some of my predicaments.

I looked at the nurse, and my appearance disheveled.

But still, I gritted my teeth and said to the nurse, "Could you please call my wife? She won't answer my calls. She thinks I'm using the phone to trick her into coming back."

I spoke with self-mockery and helplessness.

The nurse's sympathy grew deepened.

She still pulled out her phone and dialed Chloe's number.

This time, it connected quickly. "Hello, I am a nurse from the Central Hospital nephrology department..."

"You're psycho, Osborne! You despicable jerk! You couldn't fool me alone, so you brought backup, didn't you? And you, young lady, how can you be so vile and malicious at such a young age? What, you gave up nursing to team up with Osborne to mess with me?"

Chloe was convinced I was lying to her. Her patience had run out, and without letting the nurse finish, she lashed out with harsh words.

I quickly grabbed the phone. "Chloe, I'm not lying to you, grandma is really in bad shape, please come back and see her one last time. I'm begging you, okay?"

"Osborne, do you really think I wouldn't divorce you for behaving so recklessly? Don't be so filthy-hearted. Brad and I are totally innocent. I'm just fulfilling Brad's wishes, you know? Also, don't assume that bringing someone random here will make me jealous or unhappy. You're overestimating yourself."

"Do you really think I'd joke about Grandma's life or use it as a bargaining chip?"

I knew this wasn't the time to argue with Chloe, so I tried to speak in a calm tone.

Chloe hesitated, seemingly persuaded by my words.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

From nearby, Brad's voice came. "Chloe, don't say that. I don't want you two fighting over me. Let's just go back. Even though it's my last wish, I won't regret not seeing the sunrise with you."

"No, I promised you, and I will keep that promise!"

Chloe was wavering, but after Brad's words, she ended the call abruptly.

I gave a bleak smile, ignoring the sympathetic looks from the nurses, and stumbled into the hospital room.

"Osborne, has Chloe come back yet?"

Grandma looked up at me with cloudy eyes filled with spirit and hope.

"Grandma, she's busy and can't come back for now, but she'll be back by tomorrow at the latest. Just hold on a little longer," I said, holding back tears.

Just then, the phone rang with a message.

It was from Brad's number.

The message showed Chloe and Brad snuggled together, deeply in love.

And a taunting message: [You're just a substitute while I'm away!]

Indeed, I was just a substitute.

Brad and Chloe had been childhood sweethearts, long blessed by others to be together for life.

However, during their freshman year of college, Brad suddenly went abroad without a word, leaving Chloe entirely in the dark.

He vanished abruptly from her life, leaving her heartbroken and devastated.

Meanwhile, I, having been Chloe's devoted admirer since high school, remained steadfast by her side. I offered unwavering support throughout her college years, and it wasn't until after graduation that we finally started dating.

Years passed, and after confirming that Brad had disappeared for good, Chloe, in her despair, agreed to marry me.

The first year of our marriage was relatively harmonious.

I cared for her wholeheartedly, and it seemed our affection was quite strong.

It looked like she had forgotten Brad entirely.

However, she always found excuses to avoid having a child that was indeed ours.

I thought it was just pressure, that she wasn't ready.

But when Brad suddenly returned, Chloe left everything behind to be with him.

I had just realized, after all these years of emotional investment, that I was nothing but a substitute.

How could someone who suddenly appeared in her life compare to her first love? Especially when I had always been the pathetic one, chasing after her affections.

[Congratulations. I'm out, making room for you.]

I texted Brad emotionlessly.

My heart felt like ashes now. I didn't have the time or energy to think about anything else, only wanting to take care of Grandma's funeral arrangements.

"We're so sorry, Osborne. We didn't raise our daughter well."

Chloe's parents were actually very kind to me.

Her mother, Samantha Kade, wore a look of embarrassed shame.

Her father, Oscar Kade's face was grim, clearly suppressing his anger.

At the funeral, they apologized to me in hoarse voices.

Chloe still hadn't returned. It was apparent she had hung up on their calls, too.

She was determined to be with her first love.

"It's not your fault; it's just that she and I weren't meant to be."

I managed a strained smile as I said this.

I struggled through my grandmother's funeral.

Returning to the home I shared with Chloe, I lay on the sofa motionless.

It took a while before I forced myself up.

I packed up all my belongings.

This home, once familiar, now feels alien.

When Chloe agreed to marry me, I was thrilled; I designed and decorated every corner of this place.

I was so busy, day and night, but utterly invigorated, vowing to create a nest of love that Chloe would adore.

Looking at this house now made me feel utterly unfamiliar.

There was not a trace of warmth left.

The love has dissipated.

It had lost its reason to exist.

Leaving the divorce papers, I took my pitifully few possessions and left.

[Sign the papers as you wish. I'll handle the formalities in a month.]

After sending the text to Chloe, I left our former home without a backward glance.