My senses dulled as the pain washed over me, leaving me speechless and unable to express the turmoil raging inside. The confirmation hit me like a ton of bricks—Mr. Galvosa is my father.
With my head hanging low, I avoided Denver's piercing gaze. I desperately tried to cover my face with the bed sheet, but my trembling hands betrayed me. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks, mingling with the darkness of the night. The throbbing ache in my head paled in comparison to the numbing emptiness engulfing my chest.
I couldn't bear for Denver to witness me in such a vulnerable state. I didn't want him to see me like this, so broken and consumed by emotions. I just longed for some respite, to numb the pain even just a little.
Gently, I lowered myself onto the soft mattress, seeking solace in its comforting embrace. The fabric caressed my skin, offering a fleeting sense of relief amidst the chaos within.
"F*ck! I shouldn't have told you," Denver muttered under his breath, the frustration evident in his voice. But I couldn't bring myself to lift my gaze and face him. All I wanted was to rest, to let the darkness take over and provide me with temporary solace from the crushing weight of reality.
As I settled into the mattress, I sensed Denver's presence moving closer. His warm breath tickled my ear as I turned slightly to the side. He was behind me, carefully tucking the comforter around me, shielding me from the world.
In that moment, I realized I wasn't alone. His presence beside me brought a strange comfort that surpassed the physical comfort of the blanket and mattress. It was him, his unwavering support and love.
“Denver...”
"Yes, wife?" he whispered softly, his voice laced with tenderness.
"Lay beside me," I murmured, barely above a whisper, my voice strained from the tears. Without hesitation, Denver complied, his body pressing against mine. The warmth he radiated seeped into my bones, thawing the ice that had formed around my heart. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the sensation, wanting to feel him closer. "Hug me."
His arms enveloped me, encircling my body in a protective embrace. His hands settled on my waist, his touch both gentle and reassuring. His warm breath danced across the back of my neck, causing a shiver to race down my spine, but I fought to stay still, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the moment.
"Is this okay?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Are we really doing this, just the two of us?"
"Yes," I managed to breathe out, my voice filled with longing and a sense of yearning that surpassed words.
His lips grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses. His fingers traced delicate circles on my waist, igniting a fire within me, dispersing the cold that had settled over my body.
"I've missed you, wife," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Being alone with you like this, in our own world, it's something I've longed for."
“Me too, Denver.”
I gazed into his eyes, captivated by their delicate intensity. It felt like those eyes held all the solace I needed in this tumultuous time. As I ran my fingers through his hair, I could feel his warm breath against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Drawing him closer to me, I cherished the comfort and peace of being in his arms, despite the heaviness in my heart.
"I wish we could stay like this," I murmured, holding him tighter. "There's something so serene about moments like these. I've missed this."
My hand gently caressed his jaw, causing him to exhale heavily against my skin. It felt like a melodic sigh to me, his closeness heightening my senses as he embraced me tightly.
"This wasn't part of my plan, Denver. I was determined to avoid you, to be in a place where you weren't around. I wasn't fully prepared to let go of you, but I'm trying. All this time you've been absent, I've been trying to find strength. Because I want to honor your wishes. But you see, Denver, I need you."
"Sharmienne..." he uttered, tightening his grip around me, as if unwilling to hear what I was about to say.
"I need you so desperately that every moment you're not here, I feel weak. I've become dependent on you, Denver." I caressed his arm encircling my waist, gently trying to extricate myself from his embrace. He clung to me, unwilling to let go, but I managed to break free as I placed a tender kiss on his lips. The kiss lingered, his nibbles expressing an insatiable craving. "Denver..."
"Stop this..." he weakly pleaded after our lips parted. I shook my head, determined to convey the depth of my feelings for him. I wanted him to know how much I loved him, even if it meant letting him go. My love for him was so profound that I could release him now.
"I understand that what you want is best for both of us. I truly do.” I said softly, my voice filled with sincerity. "But before we part ways, let me hold onto this memory, cherish it forever."
He stared at me, his eyes shimmering with a mix of sorrow and comprehension. Our time together had reached its conclusion, but deep down, I knew that the memories we had forged would endure forever, forever holding a cherished place within our hearts.
I couldn't deny the fact that there was a fracture in our relationship. I had shattered his trust by being the one to walk away first. And now, even though he insisted on our need to be apart, I couldn't bring myself to accept it right away. It was an arduous task, considering our current circumstances, but I understood that I had to depart.
In a moment of intense desire, I kissed him with fervor, a kiss more passionate and prolonged than I could have ever imagined. He reciprocated with equal intensity. I never thought I would initiate such a kiss, not in my vulnerable and broken state. But I yearned for his presence, his warmth.
"Denver..." I began, my voice filled with uncertainty.
"Don't say anything that sounds like a final farewell," he whispered, his voice husky, as we paused. "Don't."
"But I have to, Denver. We need this, just as you've said. I am bidding my goodbye."
He crushed his lips against mine once more, the kiss growing longer, harder, and weightier. And I responded with an urgency, knowing deep down that this would be our last kiss.
"No... no..." he murmured, his kisses trailing down to my neck and shoulder, leaving fiery breath and trailing licks along my skin. I couldn't help but let out a suppressed moan as I reached for his face, capturing his lips once more. "Sharmienne..."
"You're free to hate me for doing this," I whispered.
"Keep in mind, Sharmienne, that if you do it intentionally, I will despise you. You're under my watch, and I won't completely comprehend your motive this time," he asserted with a commanding tone. "I don't want you to be away. I want you close, where I can secretly keep an eye on you."
I mustered a smile, though tinged with sadness. I understood him all too well. He wanted to ensure my safety, to protect me. He had always been there for me, both in the shadows and out in the open.
"Thank you, Denver," I whispered, planting one final kiss on his lips before pulling him into a tight embrace. Fatigue overwhelmed me; all I desired was to rest. "Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you, hubby."
The moment I surrendered to slumber, I found myself comfortably snuggled in his warm embrace. It was as if his arms were my safe haven. When I stirred in the middle of the night, Denver's strong hold on me remained. His peaceful breath caressed my skin, and I couldn't help but let out a heartfelt sigh, trying to contain the emotions welling up inside me.
My heart knew I had to leave, but my body didn't want to break free from this intimate connection. It was like I was torn between staying and escaping. Denver looked so serene in his sleep, and I didn't want to disturb his peaceful rest. But, deep down, I craved to stay, to be with him and to revel in the tender closeness we shared.
I brushed away a tear that threatened to escape and allowed myself a moment to take in the scene—the soft moonlight spilling through the curtains, casting a romantic glow on our entwined figures. It felt like a scene from a captivating action-romance novel, where love and passion collided with danger and suspense.
As much as I longed to linger, I knew I had to go before the first light of dawn painted the sky. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. I sighed deeply before I gently slip out of his embrace, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. Denver always have sharp instincts, but tonight, he didn't even stir as I moved away. Not a flinch, not a twitch–nothing. It's as if he's in such a deep sleep that he's oblivious to my departure. I hope that's the case, as I can't bear the thought of hurting him by leaving.
Our bedroom feels empty, and the weight of regret and sorrow presses down on me like a heavy blanket. I stand there, alone with my thoughts, and the silence is suffocating. My trembling hands reach for a pen, and as ink flows onto the paper, it traces the path of my tears.
The truth is painful, and I can't escape it. I know what I have to do, but it doesn't bring me any comfort. It's one of those moments in life when you know the right choice is also the hardest. 
I glance back at Denver, still lost in slumber, and my heart aches. We've shared so much together, and it's breaking me to think of leaving. But sometimes, love demands sacrifices, and this is one of those times.
Taking a deep breath, I make my decision. The weight of my emotions is almost too much to bear, but I know I can't let fear hold me back. I'll carry this pain with me as I step into the unknown, hoping that somewhere, deep down, Denver will understand why I had to go.
Running away was my plan; I had made up my mind. I left a letter for Denver, the man who held my heart in his hands. Each word I penned dripped with the essence of my soul, an attempt to make him feel the depth of my regret, to comprehend the necessity of my departure.
With every stroke of the pen, I bared my innermost thoughts, unleashing the overwhelming sorrow that consumed me. My apologies poured out like a torrential downpour, desperate pleas for his forgiveness and understanding. In that letter, I also dared to request the annulment of our marriage, convinced that if the universe deemed it so, our paths would intertwine once more. But for now, it was vital that we embarked on separate journeys, forging our own paths to personal growth, success, and healing the wounds that had driven us to this heart-wrenching crossroads.
As the ink dried on the delicate parchment, my hand trembled, torn between relief and anguish. I delicately folded the letter, pressing it against my chest. Once I left it behind, there would be no turning back. The repercussions of my actions would ripple through our lives, forever altering the tapestry of our shared destiny.
With a heavy heart, I carefully placed the letter upon our bedside table. I cast a melancholic gaze around the room, absorbing the remnants of a life we had painstakingly built together. The photographs adorning the walls whispered tales of bittersweet memories, capturing moments of unfettered joy and happiness that now seemed like fragments of a distant dream.
The hollow echoes of my footsteps reverberated through the empty corridors as I made my way to the front door. The weight of my decision pressed down on my shoulders, threatening to crush me beneath its oppressive force. Every step forward felt like a betrayal of my own happiness, like willingly abandoning the love that had consumed my soul. Yet, deep within me, I clung to a flicker of hope, believing that this sacrifice, this excruciating act of tearing myself away, would eventually pave the way for our individual growth and eventual reunion.
With trembling hands, I reached for the doorknob, twisting it slowly, and stepped out. The world outside beckoned with its myriad of uncertainties and endless possibilities. As the door closed behind me, I left behind a life that once brimmed with love and tender moments, fully aware that the echoes of our intertwined existence would forever linger in the recesses of my being.
Silent tears mingled with the raindrops cascading down my cheeks as I walked away, each step a testament to the depths of my desolation, a tiny flame of hope flickered, believing against all odds that someday, in a different time and place, our paths would converge once again, and our love would triumphantly find its way back home.
“Goodbye, Denver.”
As I stepped outside the Madrigal Towers, I spotted a familiar figure waiting for me. It was my friend, Kian, and he had that worried expression on his face, like he knew I was about to make a decision I might regret. I brushed it off and approached him anyway. Without hesitation, he pulled me into a tight hug, and tears welled up in my eyes as I found comfort in his embrace.
"I can't do this anymore, Kian," I confessed, my voice choked with emotion. "I'm just so tired."
He sighed and looked away, understanding the pain I was going through. "I know, Sharmienne," he replied softly. "I know."
With his support, he ushered me into his car, and as I glanced back at the towering building, memories of my time with my husband, Denver, flooded my mind. 
"I had the time of my life with you, Denver," I whispered to myself, the ache in my heart becoming unbearable. "I love you. I hope you know that."
As the car began to move, Denver's face flashed before my eyes, and I couldn't hold back the tears. Kian stole a glance at me, his empathy evident as he knew the pain I was enduring.
"Carmienne told me to come and get you as soon as she heard what happened at the hospital," Kian explained gently. "She wants you to stay with them."
I nodded, lacking the strength to speak. My heart felt fragile, and I knew I needed the support of my friends to get through this tough time.
"You'll be okay, Sharmienne," Kian assured me. "It's better this way, and it's all for the best. You'll get through this."