After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 117

Nolan's hand tightened around the letter, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. Something seemed to crush his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Each word cut into his heart like a knife, inflicting almost unbearable pain.

"Aurelia..." he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "Why did you write these things?"

Back then, they had loved each other so deeply.

She had talked about marrying him in Tibet, having two children—a boy and a girl.

She had depended on him, loved him so completely. But why...why had things ended up like this?

Nolan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within. He knew it was shameful to keep thinking about Aurelia.

She was his mother's killer, someone he could never forgive. Yet why did his heart still drift to her involuntarily? To her smile, her tears, her tenderness, her betrayal.

"I'm so pathetic! " Nolan muttered bitterly, his fist slamming against the desk with a dull thud.

In the days that followed, Nolan continued his routine as usual.

Yet only his assistant noticed how increasingly hollow his eyes had become, as if he were merely a walking corpse.

"Sir, you haven't seemed yourself lately. Would you consider seeing a therapist?" the assistant ventured cautiously.

Nolan gave him a cold look, his tone impatient. "I'm fine. Don't need anyone."

The assistant opened his mouth to say more, but Nolan had already turned away, leaving only his cold silhouette behind.

As wedding preparations intensified, Nolan grew increasingly withdrawn.

The figure in his arms suddenly stiffened, then pushed him away forcefully.

Nolan was startled, finally seeing clearly who stood before him—Evangeline.

Her eyes were filled with tears, her voice quavering. "Nolan, whose name did you just say?"

Nolan sobered instantly, his brows furrowing in irritation. "Why are you dressed like this? Didn't we agree I wasn't ready?"

Evangeline's tears broke free as she demanded, "Not ready? Nolan, I'm your fiancée, yet you never touch me! All those previous times were just performances for Aurelia's benefit—you never even undressed me! We're about to get married. Do you plan to never touch me for the rest of our lives?"

Nolan's head throbbed. He rubbed his temples, his tone detached. "Let's both calm down."