Chapter 32
Audrey’s love for him had become the weapon he used to hurt her.
Duncan’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Everywhere he looked, he felt her presence, as if she were still there, smiling at him—so bright, so full of joy.
The sight brought him to tears, but every time he reached out to hold her, his hands passed right through her. After repeating this futile gesture over and over, Duncan finally understood the true meaning of being separated by life and death.
It was agony an unbearable pain that made him question why he was even still alive.
A grown man, Duncan lay sprawled on the floor, crying like a child.
He remembered their college days. He had wanted to start his own business, and she had secretly taken on freelance writing jobs online, often staying up all night to earn money to fund his startup.
After they graduated, their entrepreneurial journey officially began. While others worked regular hours from nine
to five, they worked from five in the morning to nine at night, often burning the midnight oil.
She never once complained. She never said she was tired, never uttered a word of frustration. Instead, she comforted him, always telling him to keep going
Eventually, the company began to take off, and she took charge of the finances and logistics.
But then, a year ago, several suppliers started causing problems all at once, forcing him to seek new ones. Funds were tight, and in the midst of this crisis, she suddenly left
His whole world collapsed. He fell into a deep, dark hole in his life.
So he hated her. He resented her for leaving him at a time when he needed her the most, for not standing by him. as she always had.
He had taken all her sacrifices for granted, never once considering that she was human too—someone who could break down, age, feel pain, and even die one day.
Duncan sat in front of his computer, another sleepless night behind him. He had lost track of how many times since Audrey’s death he had stayed awake like this, waiting for the dawn to break..
Every second was agony, a constant torment, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about her. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t let go.
He lit a cigarette, and through the swirling smoke, his eyes glistened faintly with tears.
He smoked through an entire pack before finally, in a daze, he collapsed onto the desk and fell asleep.
—
He dreamed a long, vivid dream. In it, he relived the moment they first met as children on the same school bus.
The bus was packed with kids, and she was squeezed into a corner, looking small and helpless.
He had been the one to approach her and offer his seat. She had stared at him for a long time, unsure, until she realized he meant no harm. Then she smiled at him.
There was another memory, too–when their school organized a field trip. A few classmates had planned a hike, but the winding trails caused them to lose their way.
The sky darkened, and several girls began to cry in fear, but Audrey stayed calm, following quietly beside him without a single complaint.
7/2
Chapter 32
#25 BONUS
She was the one who suggested they follow the North Star to find their way back. Always composed, she was able to think clearly when it mattered most. A woman like that was destined to elevate the man by her side.
It was then that he decided he would keep her with him for the rest of his life.
By the time they made it back to school, It was morning. The police had been called, and the parents were overjoyed to see their children safe. But Audrey stood alone forgotten in a corner, as if no one was there to welcome her back.
In that moment, Duncan realized her strength and calmness weren’t natural–they had been forged through hardship.
In their freshman year, she worked part–time jobs while studying, often sleeping just a few hours a night. Yet she always greeted everyone with a smile. A woman who lived such a difficult life, she faced it all with a smile.
