All Chapters of Love on the Rocks: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

With a deafening thud, I crashed from the climbing wall.For a moment, the world seemed to fall into absolute silence.A surge of searing pain overwhelmed me, smashing through every last bit of my resolve. Cold sweat soaked my body as I lay on the ground, pale and trembling.I was completely immobile. Every nerve in my leg screamed in agony, and each sharp jolt fired straight to my brain.People in the surroundings erupted in chaos. Panic rippled through the onlookers as my coach, the medic, and friends raced toward me.I struggled to take a deep breath and forced myself to turn my head and look for my wife.Ella Ferris, the CEO of O&E Group, had always been poised, aloof, and indifferent toward me, even at home. Yet, she'd unexpectedly taken time off to attend my competition on this day.Now that I was met with an accident, I was afraid she would be worried. However, as soon as I spotted her, I was stunned. I even forgot the excruciating pain that wracked my body.She wasn't l

When I opened my eyes, the first person I saw was Ella. Even though I'd resolved to no longer yearn for her love, my heart still skipped a beat at the sight of her."Why would you investigate the climbing chalk? It's a waste of time. Look, you're awake now. Tell Alex to stop digging into it," she said impatiently without a shred of concern.I couldn't help but laugh bitterly to myself.I shouldn't bother hoping for something from her."There's something wrong with the climbing chalk. I told Alex to investigate it," I replied coldly, not wanting to appease her anymore.Then, as the attending doctor explained the extent of my injuries, it felt as though I was listening to the death sentence of my career.My legs were ruined. I could walk, but I could never climb again.Climbing wasn't just a sport to me; it was my passion, the one thing I'd defied my family for to pursue as a lifelong career. And now, it was as if half my soul had been ripped away.My cold response surprised Ella

The next day, the email account I'd used to communicate with Ella under the guise of an investor, long dormant, lit up with a new message. It was from Ella.I knew she was starting to have doubts, but I didn't have time to deal with her.Looking at my parents, who had rushed overnight to be by my side, I felt a deep wave of guilt and sorrow. Their hair was so much grayer than I remembered.When Mom saw me lying in the hospital bed, she broke down in tears. Dad stood silently for a long time with red-rimmed eyes before finally speaking."Come home, Ron."I immediately started crying.No matter how old a man got, he would always be a child in front of his parents.I agreed to their suggestion to transfer me to a different hospital. I wanted to leave this city as soon as possible. Nonetheless, I asked them to return home first.There were things I needed to wrap up here, and I didn't plan on coming back after this.First, I instructed my lawyer to draft divorce papers and send th

Ella mercilessly slapped Owen hard across the face, followed by a relentless flurry of punches and kicks."How dare you lie to me! I treated you as a benefactor, and you made a fool out of me!"Owen didn't fight back but only cowered and begged for mercy. In no time, his face was a bloody mess. No one stepped forward to stop Ella. In fact, some took the opportunity to kick Owen.At last, when Ella was too exhausted to continue, she turned to her assistant and ordered, "Expose him online! Let the whole world know. He'll never live with dignity in the public eye again!"Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she hurried to my bedside."Ronald, I was wrong. I let myself be blinded by gratitude and trusted him. Please forgive me! I swear, there's nothing between us! I only thought he was sincere, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. That's why I tolerated him for so long."Once so proud and untouchable, Ella now knelt before me in utter desperation. Her usually immaculate hai