After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 118

With his words hanging in the air, he left the bar and got into his car alone. He lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag in an attempt to calm his inner turmoil.

But the memories he had deliberately suppressed rushed back like a tide, completely overwhelming him.

He remembered their first time together.

Aurelia lying beneath him, her face flushed with shyness, her eyes full of trust and love.

"Nolan, will you love me forever?"

He had kissed her forehead tenderly. "Of course I will. I'll love you until becoming old."

Her body had trembled slightly, her eyes showing a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Nolan's movements had been gentle and slow, as if afraid of hurting her.

His fingers had traced lightly over her skin, feeling her warmth and heartbeat.

Her breathing had quickened, her eyes gradually misting with desire.

"Nolan, that feels so good..." she had whispered, her voice quivering.

He had claimed her lips, swallowing her words.

His movements had gradually intensified, their breaths intertwining as if they might meld into one another's very essence.

Her fingers had gripped his back tightly, nails digging into his skin as if afraid he might suddenly vanish.

In that moment, Nolan's heart had been filled with contentment and happiness.

He knew then he could never let her go.

Nolan's hand tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening from the pressure.

His body responded involuntarily, his mind filled with images of Aurelia.

The cemetery was deserted except for Nolan, kneeling motionless before his mother's gravestone. Rain streamed down his hair, face, and clothes, soaking him completely, but he seemed oblivious to it.

His gaze was fixed on his mother's photograph on the tombstone. That kind and gentle face now filled him with unbearable weight. His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms, blood mixing with rainwater as it dripped to the ground.

"Mom..." Nolan's voice was hoarse and low, as if forced from the depths of his throat. "I'm sorry."

His voice was swallowed by the sound of rain, as if it had never existed.

Images of Aurelia kept flashing through his mind, each memory cutting into his heart like a knife, making it almost impossible to breathe.

He knew it was shameful to keep thinking about Aurelia.She was his mother's killer, someone he could never forgive.

But why did his heart still drift to her involuntarily? Why did he still cling to her despite his hatred?

"Mom, I've tried... I really have..." Nolan's voice trembled. "But I still love her."