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Chapter 24
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Before I Leave Chapter 25
Stella followed Ethan's mother to the hospital where she finally saw Ethan, lying in a hospital bed, barely hanging on.She was confused. Ethan had lived into his fifties in his previous life until a car accident took him then. At this moment, however, his body looked completely broken as if it had given out far too early."What happened?" she asked quietly.Ethan's mother choked on her words, wiping her tears, and replied, "After you left, he stopped caring about himself. He threw himself into work, never rested, and barely ate. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen."His body couldn't take it. He has end-stage cancer."Stella stood silently, watching the man she once loved fade into someone unrecognizable.When Ethan lost her, he had lost everything. His health had simply followed.On the bed, Ethan gave her a weak, tired smile."You came back," he whispered."I once told myself, after everything I did to you in the previous life… if I got another chance, I'd wait for
Before I Leave Chapter 1
Ethan Shaw had died.Before the funeral, his wife, Stella Walker, packed his belongings and found a thick photo album.On the cover, it said, [My True Love.]She opened it.The photos inside were not of her.They were Rachel Chester, the girl Ethan had adopted years ago. Stella had always believed that Ethan saw Rachel only as his adopted daughter.However, every picture is filled with deep romantic love—Rachel was smiling, sleeping, crying.Under a photo of Rachel in a wedding dress, Ethan had written a line.[I would rather make do with it if I can't marry the one I love.]After reading the secrets her husband had kept for so many years, Stella's face turned pale.After 20 years of marriage, Stella was just nothing but an unwanted alternative.The funeral began soon after.People tried to comfort her."I'm sorry for your loss. Just take the inheritance and live well.""Yes, even though there are some problems with the medicine produced by Ethan's company and he must
Before I Leave Chapter 2
Stella had no family to say goodbye to.Her parents died when she was 15. Ever since then, she had been on her own.She called Ethan's parents and told them she wanted to call off the engagement.After hanging up, she headed to the auction house.Stella's mother had been a famous ceramic artist. Since her mother passed away, Stella had been collecting her mother's pieces as keepsakes.There was one piece named 'Love'. Her mother made it while pregnant with her. Stella had been searching for it for years.She was lucky. Just before leaving for the Northwest Research Base, the piece came up for auction.However, when she arrived, she saw Ethan and Rachel there too.The moment Ethan saw her, his tone turned cold. "Stella, have you made enough of a scene?" "What?" She blinked, entirely confused. His face showed even more impatience."You called my parents to break off the engagement. Was it because the wedding felt too rushed? Fine. I increased the wedding budget tenfold. Are
Before I Leave Chapter 3
No matter how high someone else bid, Ethan would raise his bid by 100 thousand dollars.He did not care about the cost; he had to bid the piece.Stella's face turned pale entirely. "Ethan," she said, voice trembling. "Do you really have to do this? I never asked you for anything—not once in all these years. But just this once... I am begging you. Please let me have my mother's final piece."Her mother had mentioned this porcelain sculpture many times. It was the one she had always wanted Stella to find.Ethan calmly replied, "Sorry. Rachel rarely wants anything."Stella slowly lowered her bidding paddle.Her parents had left her a large inheritance, but her cash on hand could not compete with Ethan's.In the end, Ethan won the piece and gave it to Rachel."Thank you, Uncle Ethan! I love it so much!"Rachel smiled as she took the sculpture—then suddenly lost her grip.Crash!The porcelain hit the floor and shattered.Stella's eyes turned red. She gathered the pieces and took
Before I Leave Chapter 4
"Uncle Ethan..."Rachel's eyes turned red as she threw herself into Ethan's arms.In contrast, Stella stood frozen outside the ward. Her face turned pale.She suddenly remembered Ethan had told her he had vitamins specially made for her in her previous life.She was touched that Ethan truly cared for her, and she took those pills every day without fail.They had been married for years but never had children.They went for a checkup, and the problem was found with her hormones.To get pregnant, she began taking ovulation shots. Her stomach was bruised all over. Her body grew bloated from the hormones.Still, she never conceived.Her doctor had gently asked if there might be something in her diet or supplements interfering with the treatment.Stella had considered many possibilities, but never once did she question the vitamins Ethan gave her.That was, of course, until this moment.She stumbled back a step, heart crumbling.'How could you be so cruel, Ethan?' She thought to
Before I Leave Chapter 5
Stella's hand froze just as she was about to knock on the car window.Even she could tell something was off, let alone Ethan who was in the car.Ethan spoke, panicked, "You've been drugged, Rachel. I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"Rachel clung to him, sobbing. "It's too late... I feel so awful... Please... Please, just give it to me... I only want you..."Her soft, tearful voice curled like smoke into Ethan's ear, striking at the most sensitive part of his nerves.Ethan had been holding himself back with every ounce of self-control. Hearing her beg, the last bit of restraint shattered.He lost himself.Stella stood motionless as the car began to rock violently in front of her. She heard the girl's sobs twist into gasps, then cries for mercy, and finally soft, broken whimpers.Ethan did not stop.Stella's lips curved upward in a bitter, powerless smile.In her past life, she had been married to Ethan for 20 years. She could count the number of times they made out. Ev
Before I Leave Chapter 6
Stella's head snapped up, noticing Ethan was standing in the doorway. She had no idea when he arrived.Her heart dropped."Did you drug my orange juice?" Her voice trembled with anger. "What the hell are you trying to do?"Ethan gave a cold laugh and walked over, gripping her chin roughly. "I should be the one asking you that—why did you drug Rachel?"You decided to humiliate her in public just because she broke your mother's piece by accident?"She's just a kid! How could you be so vicious?"Stella stared at him in shock. "What are you talking about? I never drugged Rachel!"Ethan shoved her away. "Stop lying! The only thing she drank today was that glass of water you gave her. Who else could it have been?"It hit Stella then—what it meant to be completely unloved. Ethan never questioned everything Rachel said, yet he sentenced Stella on the spot."Unbelievable," she laughed bitterly.She struggled to grab her phone and call an ambulance, but Ethan stopped her."What are yo
Before I Leave Chapter 7
Ethan's expression finally changed."Stella? What the hell are you doing?!"Stella ignored him and stabbed her thigh repeatedly. Her white evening gown turned crimson in seconds.Ethan stood frozen.Stella would rather hurt herself than let him lay a hand on her? That thought hit him hard. An indescribable feeling rose in his chest."Stella!" he roared, grabbing her wrist.The scissors clattered to the floor. Pain shot through her body, but oddly, her dazed mind began to clear.Just then, applause erupted from downstairs. The guests were waiting for the birthday girl to speak.Stella wrenched free from Ethan's grip and walked out, clutching the banister as she made her way down the stairs.Gasps filled the room the moment she appeared in her blood-soaked dress.However, Stella looked calm. She held her chin high, the crimson blooming across her dress like wild roses clinging to a cliffside.She raised her glass and smiled at the crowd."Happy twenty-ninth to me," she said.
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Before I Leave Chapter 25
Stella followed Ethan's mother to the hospital where she finally saw Ethan, lying in a hospital bed, barely hanging on.She was confused. Ethan had lived into his fifties in his previous life until a car accident took him then. At this moment, however, his body looked completely broken as if it had given out far too early."What happened?" she asked quietly.Ethan's mother choked on her words, wiping her tears, and replied, "After you left, he stopped caring about himself. He threw himself into work, never rested, and barely ate. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen."His body couldn't take it. He has end-stage cancer."Stella stood silently, watching the man she once loved fade into someone unrecognizable.When Ethan lost her, he had lost everything. His health had simply followed.On the bed, Ethan gave her a weak, tired smile."You came back," he whispered."I once told myself, after everything I did to you in the previous life… if I got another chance, I'd wait for
Before I Leave Chapter 24
Ethan froze where he stood.Stella, calm and steady, looked him in the eye and spoke clearly, "Ethan, imagine this: Someone breaks your heart for over twenty years, and you die in the end because of their selfishness."One day, you're given a second chance at life. Would you really waste even one more minute on that person?"Ethan's face went pale. He could not speak a word.Stella gave a quiet sigh and continued, voice soft but firm."Your expression tells everything. That's why I hope you can understand me."Ethan, please stop looking for me."Without another word, she turned and walked away.Ethan stood there, rooted to the spot, as if all life had drained from him.He had always thought that dream was unusually vivid. He finally knew why.Everything he saw in that dream—her pain, her heartbreak, her death—it was all real.Ethan crumpled to the ground as despair overtook him. His body shook as he buried his face in his hands.That dream was never a warning; it was a memo
Before I Leave Chapter 23
Stella finally understood what was happening.She frowned slightly and whispered, "Sir, I think I'd better head back to the lab. I still have some work to finish."Before she could walk away, Ethan reached out and grabbed her arm. "Why are you walking away the second you see me?"She calmly pulled her arm free. "I'm not avoiding you.""Yes, you are," Ethan said, his voice rising. "If you really don't care about me, why won't you even look at me?"Stella sighed, finally meeting his eyes directly—steady, quiet, and composed."I'm looking now, aren't I?" she said plainly. "I'm just done wasting time on you. That's all."Stella meant it.She had enough of all the waiting and disappointment.She wanted to spend the rest of her life on herself and her future, not chasing after a man who only realized her worth when she was gone.Ethan's expression shifted, hurt flashing in his eyes."I'm sorry, Stella," he said, his voice almost a whisper.The once-proud man stood before her, hea
Before I Leave Chapter 22
Stella's hand froze.Life at the aerospace base was supposed to be cut off from the outside world to prevent any risk of leaks. Alas, it was impossible to expect researchers to survive without any contact or entertainment.They were allowed to browse the news and even shop online, though under strict guidelines.Because of that, Stella saw the news. She had read everything Ethan said about her.Her coworkers all looked at her curiously."Stella, the timing of his fiancee's disappearance lines up with when you came here. The only difference is, she went abroad to study, and you joined this base.""Yeah, seriously! If we didn't know better, I'd think you were his fiancee."Laughter broke out around the table.Stella smiled forcibly and replied, "Lots of people out there share the same name."In this base, people worked closely but rarely got too personal. Aside from Mia who had initially mentored her and had access to her background, no one else knew who Stella really was.They
Before I Leave Chapter 21
Ethan's mother stood frozen, stunned by Ethan's declaration.He clenched his fist as he firmly said, "I will bring Stella back. I will find her as long as she's still alive—no matter where she is."As long as she was alive, he stood a chance to make things right.He believed Stella loved him too deeply and would not let go without a fight. She had not stopped loving him.She had only left because he had hurt her too much. He finally understood his feelings, and he could win her back if he tried hard enough.His mother stared at him in disbelief. "Ethan, do you hear yourself? She's gone to a top-secret national project. You can't just track her down!"Ethan remained unfazed. "There's always a way. Even if I can't find her, I'll wait. However long it takes.""What?!" His mother could hardly process it.As she saw the unwavering look in Ethan's eyes, she knew she could no longer sway him.Ethan was no longer the rebellious boy who used to defy them just for the sake of it; he had
Before I Leave Chapter 20
When Ethan first woke up, he felt relieved.Stella was still alive after all. She had not died tragically because of him like in that nightmare.However, the relief only lasted a second.Stella was alive, but she was so far away that he could not reach her. The thought crushed him, the pain in his chest making him feel conflicted.After all, in that dream, no matter how twisted it had been, he had spent over 20 years with her.Reality, however, reminded him how he would no longer have a chance with her.He gasped for air, like the pain was squeezing the life out of him.His mother panicked and rushed to his side, concerned. "What's wrong, Ethan? Are you feeling sick? Do you want me to call a doctor?"Ethan's eyes were red. He slowly looked up at her and raspily croaked, "Mom… I love Stella."It felt like a burden was lifted off of him when he said it. He finally faced his feelings for Stella.His mother froze for a second, then broke into tears."I knew it," she sobbed. "I'v
Before I Leave Chapter 19
Ethan's mother's eyes turned red as she heard Ethan's words."Oh, poor boy," she said, her voice shaking. "Why do you have to do this to yourself?"She choked up on her tears."You didn't cherish her back then. Only now do you think about her day and night when she's gone. "No matter how much you dream of her, she's not coming back."Ethan frowned.He knew that dream was not just because he missed Stella. It had been far too vivid, too real.In the dream, he and Stella had also been engaged since they were young.Instead of joining the space program, Stella married him as expected.In the dream, he had never seen through Rachel's lies, nor realized how he truly felt about Stella, so he treated her poorly.They were married for over 20 years, but he never once bought her a gift or took her on a date.Even their intimacy felt like a chore. It only happened once a month, and only because Stella had asked for it a million times.Worst of all, even after marriage, he could not
Before I Leave Chapter 18
Ethan looked at the two piles in front of him.The first pile was the gifts Stella had returned to him. These were things he had given her in the past. Most of them, he had not even remembered. He had casually told his assistant to buy them.His gaze darkened.Stella had already planned to return everything before she left.He then looked at the second pile.These were gifts Stella had once given to him.He finally remembered how Stella loved giving him gifts. She would give him something for his birthday, for holidays, for every little occasion.At the time, he found it annoying. He stopped opening them and would toss them into the basement…His mother brought them out and organized them.Ethan stood there in a daze and slowly opened them, one by one. All of them were covered in dust.There was a lucky charm she spent a lot of effort to get for him during his college entrance exams.There was a scarf she had knitted for his birthday last year. He remembered seeing her pract
Before I Leave Chapter 17
Rachel panicked and quickly tried to appear the sweet, innocent girl she always portrayed herself to be, but it was too late.Ethan walked over and grabbed her by the throat.The girls in the room screamed and ran out, leaving only Ethan and Rachel."Rachel," hissed Ethan through clenched teeth, "you played me for a fool all these years."He remembered the first time he met her.Her father had just passed away back then. She looked up at him with red eyes and asked where her dad had gone.He had felt sorry for her. He wanted to protect her. That was why he decided to take care of her.At first, it was out of guilt and responsibility.As she grew up, however, she became different from the girls he knew.Those girls always had luxury bags and lived proud, glamorous lives. Rachel, on the other hand, always acted like she did not deserve anything. She was careful, humble, and insecure.That made him want to protect her even more. He had mistaken it for love.He was angry, but he
