CHAPTER 7

REMINISCING...

Nathaniel's POV

I drove to June’s apartment, gripping the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. My heart pounded, an eerie sense of dread settling in my stomach. When I pulled up in front of the building, my chest constricted at the sight before me.

A sign hung on the door.

‘Apartment for Rent.’

My breath hitched. What the fuck? Who the hell is renting this place out?

I threw the car door open and stormed up to the entrance. My fingers trembled as I ripped the sign off the door, crumpling it in my fist. My mind raced. It had only been a week since she left, and now this? It felt like she was being erased—like she had never existed.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the spare key. My hands shook as I slid it into the lock, twisting it. The door creaked open, and I stepped inside.

Empty.

The place was completely stripped bare.

Everything—gone. Every trace of her existence had been wiped away. Her books, her favorite mug, the scented candles she kept in every corner. Even the lingering scent of her perfume had vanished, replaced by the stale, cold emptiness of abandonment.

Dust coated the wooden floors, untouched since the day she left. It looked lifeless, barren, a ghost of the home it once was. I stepped inside, my shoes echoing against the empty space. My fingers brushed against the walls as if hoping to feel some remnant of her, some warmth, but there was nothing.

I reached her bedroom, stopping in my tracks when I caught sight of myself in the lone mirror still standing. The reflection staring back at me was unfamiliar. My usually sharp, confident gaze was hollow. My jaw was clenched, my skin paler than usual, dark circles staining my eyes.

I was a wreck.

I was shameless.

I clenched my fists.

I couldn't save her. I let her go. I let her slip right through my fingers.

My reflection mocked me, reminding me of my failure. How could I claim to love her when I couldn’t even protect her?

Rage boiled inside me. Without thinking, I grabbed a candle from the dresser and hurled it at the mirror.

CRASH!

Glass shattered, shards flying across the room, some embedding themselves into my skin. I didn’t care. I couldn’t look at myself anymore.

I staggered back, gripping my hair.

"Fuck!!!" I roared, my voice raw with anguish.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor. My hands trembled as I whispered, "June... Why did you have to leave me? I never gave you permission to." My voice cracked, tears burning my eyes, but I didn’t wipe them away.

I stumbled to my feet, driven by an overwhelming impulse. My body moved on its own, carrying me up the stairs, my breaths shallow and erratic. I pushed open the rooftop door, stepping into the cold night air. The city lights flickered below, oblivious to the storm raging inside me.

If I can’t be with you here, June, then I’ll meet you on the other side.

I walked toward the edge of the building, my pulse roaring in my ears. The wind howled, whipping my hair around my face. I looked down. The height made my head spin, but I didn’t move back. A tear slipped down my cheek as I whispered her name.

Memories flooded my mind.

Five months ago—on this very rooftop.

June and I stood side by side, washing clothes together. I had just fought with my father, and she let me crash at her place for a while.

The sun bathed her in golden light, highlighting every beautiful detail—the gentle curve of her lips, the crinkle in her eyes when she smiled. She looked like something out of a dream.

"Baby," she called, breaking me out of my trance.

"Yeah?"

"What's your dream?" she asked, hanging a wet shirt on the clothesline.

I scoffed. "Dreams? I don’t have time for shit like that."

She turned to me, frowning. "Who doesn’t have dreams? You’re just too lazy to think of one."

I shrugged. "I just want to take as much inheritance from my old man as I can and live my life the way I want."

She walked over and tugged my ear. "Ow!" I protested, rubbing the sore spot.

"You’re so bad," she scolded, but she was smiling.

I grinned. "Yeah, real bad for you."

She sighed, stepping closer, her eyes softening. "I... want to die one day before you."

I stiffened. "Seriously? Why would you say that?"

She took my hand, squeezing it. "Even when my hair turns gray, I want to hold your hand. I want to go grocery shopping with you, watch movies, hug you when I’m cold, fight with you over stupid things..."

I watched her, heart pounding.

"Babe," she whispered, her eyes shining, "I want a daughter. I’m sure she’ll have your eyes. She’ll be so cute."

My lips twitched. "That’s not difficult."

She grinned, bouncing excitedly. "Really? Then we should—"

I pulled her into my arms, resting my chin on her shoulder. "I love you, June."

I’d never meant something so much in my life.

Present.

Tears streamed down my face as I stood on the edge of the rooftop. My body trembled.

I closed my eyes.

I was ready.

I took a step forward—

But my legs wouldn’t move.

Panic set in. My body refused to obey. I tried again. Nothing.

I stumbled back, gasping. "Shit…" My chest heaved as I realized the truth.

I was scared. I couldn’t do it.

I sank to the floor, sobbing. "June! I’m sorry! I’m a coward!" I screamed into the night.

I wanted to die, but I couldn’t even do that right.

---

Elizabeth POV

I arrived home around 9:00 PM, exhausted from work. My muscles ached as I parked my car and stepped out, eager to collapse into bed.

But then I saw him.

Nathaniel.

He stood by my door, looking like a lost puppy.

"You’re just getting home?" he asked, his voice low.

I ignored him and unlocked my door, but my conscience nagged at me. He looked… broken.

I sighed and turned back. "What are you doing here? You’re getting on my nerves."

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "You’re my only friend."

Friend? That was years ago.

I groaned. "Come in before you catch a cold." I stepped inside, leaving the door open. "Don’t think I’m doing this for you. We need to make this marriage thing work, so I have to be nice. Don’t expect it all the time."

He walked in, looking around. "You still paint?"

I grabbed my apron. "Yeah, so?"

He touched one of my paintings. "What does this mean?"

"I don’t know."

"Then why paint it?"

I sighed. "Because when I paint, I don’t have to think about anything else."

He sat on my couch. "My life is empty."

I rolled my eyes. "At least now you know."

He lay back, staring at the ceiling. "What’s the point?"

I turned to look at him—and froze.

His eyes were closed. His chest wasn’t rising.

"Nate?" I rushed over, shaking him. "Nate! Wake up!"

Panic surged through me.

He wasn’t breathing.

I grabbed my phone. "I need an ambulance, now!"

I clutched his hand. "You’re not dying on me, Nathaniel! You hear me? You can’t leave me!"