All Chapters of Before I Leave: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

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

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

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

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.

Stella sneered and forced herself to move, crawling despite her injured leg, with everything she had.She no longer trusted a word Ethan said; she had to save herself.When she finally made it downstairs, the flames had devoured most of the first floor.Ethan was clearing a path to the exit. When he saw Stella, his expression changed."I told you to wait for me!"Of course, this was not the time to argue. He turned to help Rachel out when she suddenly screamed."Watch out!"A burning beam snapped and came crashing down.The first one fell straight toward Stella."Stella!" Ethan's expression twisted, and he rushed toward her.However, in the next second—Crack!Another beam dropped right above Rachel.At the very last moment, Ethan shielded Rachel with his body.The flaming wood slammed into his back. He let out a muffled grunt.At the same time, the other beam struck Stella across her shoulder and back.Blinding pain exploded through her. As her vision blurred, she saw