After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 119

Water streamed down his face, indistinguishable from tears. His body trembled slightly, as if bearing an immense burden.

He knew he was betraying his mother, betraying his family, but he could no longer deceive himself.

For three days and nights, Nolan knelt before his mother's grave without food or water, completely motionless.

Cemetery staff attempted to persuade him to leave, but he merely gave them a cold stare, his tone brooking no argument "GET OUT!"

The staff didn't dare press further and could only watch from a distance, filled with confusion and concern.

Finally, on the third day, the rain stopped.

Nolan slowly rose to his feet. His knees were numb from kneeling so long, but he seemed not to notice. He took one last look at his mother's gravestone and whispered, "Mom, I'm sorry. In this lifetime, I'm going to fail you."

With that, he turned and left the cemetery, his silhouette lonely and resolute.

Upon returning home, Nolan's first act was to cancel the engagement. Both his father and Evangeline were stunned by the news.

"What did you say?" His father's voice was filled with disbelief. "Cancel the engagement? Nolan, do you realize what you're saying?"

Nolan's face remained expressionless, his tone cold but determined "I said, cancel the engagement."

Evangeline's face drained of color. She clutched Nolan's arm, her voice pleading"Nolan, why? Did I do something wrong? I promise I'll never touch you without permission again. Please don't cancel our wedding..."

Nolan glanced at her, his tone tinged with regret "This has nothing to do with that."

Evangeline's tears spilled over as she asked tremulously"It's Aurelia, isn't it? You still can't forget her, right?"

After a moment of silence, Nolan finally nodded"Yes."

His father's face turned ashen. He slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with fury "Nolan! Have you forgotten she killed your mother? How can you still think of her?!"

Nolan's fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms.

His voice was hoarse and low"I haven't forgotten. That's why I went to my mother's grave and knelt there for three days and nights. But I've tried—I truly cannot ler her go."

Yet he still raised his head, looking determinedly at his father"I'm going to find her. In this life, I'll keep her by my side even if I have to tie her down. In the next life,we can go to hell together. But in this life, without her, I'll die."

His father's hand trembled violently, the caning falling to the floor.

He swayed, seeming to age a decade in an instant. His voice carried absolute despair"What a sin... what a terrible sin..."

With those words, he collapsed to the ground.

"Dad!" Nolan leapt up, ignoring his injuries as he rushed to support his father. His voice was panicked"Call an ambulance! Now!"

Evangeline stood to the side, her face as white as paper.

She watched Nolan's back, her eyes filled with despair and anguish. She knew that she would never again enter Nolan's heart.

The ambulance arrived quickly, rushing his father to the hospital.