The Man W

ian'

ept walking. The rain was falling hard, soaking

it was in pieces. Each breath hurt. Why did I even go there? Why did I try? I held on

erything else I gave to that man. I walked faster.

at me like I was a stranger. From how she laughed at me like I was a fool. From

car until it was too late. A loud horn. Screeching tires. Then pa

antiseptic. The light above was too bright. My head ached. My arm stung. I couldn't move without pain shooting through my side. Where

e you. You walked out into the road so fast. I tried to brake, I swear I did." His voice cracked a litt

my lips dry. "You... b

ame is Dominic. The doctors say you'll be okay. You've got a

'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to walk into the road." "I know," he said softly. "You looked like someone who wanted to disappear." I froze. Because he was right. I didn't want to die... but I didn't know how to keep living either. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "Why are you still here?" "I don't know," he said honestly. "But something told me I shouldn't leave you alone." His voice was warm. Safe. It wasn't flirtatious or pitying. Just... honest. He stood up and poured water into a

s a ghost in my own marriage. A shadow. But this man - this stranger - looked at me like I was human. The door opened. I turned my head slowly, hoping it was just a nurse coming to check on me. But it

ncle? I blinked. Dominic stood up slowly, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the voic

aid, forcing a polite smile. "It's been a wh

ms. "I've been at the family hospital. Doing m

fted. Something cold settled in. Grayson's eyes flicked to me again.

looked at me, then back at Grayson. Hi

in last night." Grayson blinked. "Wait... what?" "She walked into the road," Dominic said, his voice lower now. "Soaking wet. Crying. She looked lost. Like she didn't want to live. I almost hit her with my car. I rushed her here. Sat with her all night." Grayson's bro

ed everything. I waited for you. I smiled even when I was breaking. And you... you never came." Grayson stepped closer. "Vivian, please-" No, I said louder this time, trembling. "You married me, but you never considered me as if I mattered. You only paid attention to her." He pulled back. I went on. "I don't want you to pretend now. You don't get to show up when I'm broken and try to fix what you neglected." "I didn't know," he whispered as if he might shatter. "I didn't mean for this to happen- "But it did!" I cried, my trembling hands. "You left me alone in this marria

against the wall. "I'm done yearning for your attention," I panted. "Please l

shot him a glare. "Then start acting like one. Bec

gain. He didn't say a word. He just gave me a tissue. And for the first time, I didn't hold back my tears. I wept because