All Chapters of Love Wilts Like a Flower: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I got a napkin to wrap my thigh with. While bearing the pain, I drove myself to the hospital.At the hospital, the doctor reminded me not to get my wound wet and avoid any strenuous activity.My phone buzzed. Hansel had called.I answered the call and was immediately greeted with anger. He ordered me, "I don't care where you are right now. Head to the therapy room and apologize to Giselle! She's in shock because of you!"I followed his instructions and walked to the door of the therapy room, but the hospital director stopped me. He sounded concerned."Ms. Colby, looking at your current state, I recommend hospitalization. Once the visa is approved, we will fly abroad to get you treated. Your depression has started to manifest with physical symptoms."I wanted to agree with him, but I somehow could not utter a word. I gaped.The door to the therapy room was suddenly flung open. Hansel's irritated voice filled the room."Who's going to receive treatment abroad? I'm certainly not l

I was so close to losing my sanity. Hansel's words flashed across my mind.I yelled into my phone, "You can't! How could you move my child's grave! I bought that site for my baby. You have no right to move him around!"The gravesite was picked out carefully by Hansel and me. He had never been a believer, but he spent a few days at the church praying for our unborn child.Therefore, I could not believe that he would seek justice for Giselle by moving our child's gravesite.So, this was the punishment he had been talking about."Ms. Colby, we are very sorry." The cemetery worker hung up before I could protest.I removed the IV tubes attached to my hand and left the hospital in a hurry. At the cemetery, I felt cold from head to toe when the chilly winds swept through the grounds.To my dismay, I spotted Giselle from afar. She was holding an urn. The sight made my heart twist in pain.I ran to her, trying to wrestle the urn away from her, only to be shoved to the ground by Hansel

This was Hansel's first time driving in five years.In his five years of faking his depression, he had been good at acting. He did not talk and barely consumed anything. He even needed help to put on his clothes.My life revolved around taking care of him. Every day, I'd wake up at 6:00 am to make breakfast for him. He'd come home at midnight. I could only head to bed late after getting him in bed and washing up.I had to coax him, feed him, and take care of his physical and emotional needs. I drove him to work and to his treatment appointments.The last five years of my life were all about Hansel. I lived for him.Never had I thought that Hansel would use his psychotherapy sessions to seek pleasure with Giselle. I had so much hope in psychotherapy.No wonder he looked overjoyed before his hospital visit every time.I was more surprised at the fact that he had faked his depression. My fear, anxiety, and sacrifice over these years in hopes of his recovery were nothing but a joke.

Back at the hospital, Hansel seemed shocked when I hung up on him, as that was a first.It suddenly occurred to him that I was hospitalized and treated for a night before I was out of critical condition, all because I accidentally consumed fish.He'd often pay attention to my diet, making sure I didn't accidentally consume fish. Even he was surprised that the detail had slipped his mind.Perhaps, he had faked his depression for too long that he had forgotten about everything else.His heart hurt. He felt oddly on edge."Hansel, what's going on? Y-You are hurting me."When he finally snapped back to reality, he let go of Giselle's wrist that had reddened from his grip. He stood up and walked out the door."I'm leaving now. I promised Mel I'd go back and be with her. I'll visit you again tomorrow."Hearing that, Giselle immediately flipped open her blanket to reveal a tight bunny suit. She hugged him tight, suffocating him with her perfume. She pressed her soft body against his c

Three years later, I finally left the remote mountains and embraced the outside world once more. My mindset had completely changed.As soon as I arrived at the airport in Blumland, I heard someone calling to me."Mel!"I turned around and saw Hansel. His face, which was covered in stubble, broke into my line of sight.Dark circles hung beneath his eyes. He looked like he'd aged ten years."Mel, it's really you… I finally found you. Let's go home. Our child is waiting for us at home. We can go home together…"Before I could react, he pulled me into a tight embrace—so tight I could hardly breathe. He did not want to let go for even a second as if that would mean losing me forever."Miss, do you need help?"An airport security guard pried Hansel off me and stood between us. They told me that Hansel had shown up at the airport almost every day for the past three years. He had been harassing countless women and refusing to leave no matter how many times they chased him away.Look