Final Approach to Freedom

Chapter 19

"Why... is it just not the same?"

Alexander Hartley clutched the bottle of body wash so tightly his knuckles turned white. The reflection in the mirror revealed bloodshot eyes and dark circles beneath them.

He hadn’t slept a wink in five days. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of Evelyn Montgomery walking away flashed in his mind, the heart-wrenching pain jolting him awake instantly.

When the alarm rang, he mechanically went through his morning routine. But the moment he stepped outside, his vision darkened, and he collapsed heavily onto the floor.

"Professor Hartley didn’t show up for class today?"

"His phone’s unreachable too..."

Students murmured in confusion. The department head scrolled through his contacts and finally dialed a number he hadn’t called in ages.

"Hello? Ms. Montgomery? Professor Hartley—"

Airport announcements buzzed in the background as Evelyn’s voice came through, cool and distant. "We’re divorced. I’ll send you his emergency contact later."

The office fell into stunned silence after the call ended. Students exchanged glances—no one had expected the seemingly devoted professor and his wife to...

Lucas Bennett was in a meeting when the call came. The moment he heard the news, he bolted from the conference room.

Pushing open Alexander’s front door, Lucas froze. His once-vibrant best friend lay pale and unconscious in the entryway, still clutching Evelyn’s photo.

"You absolute madman!" Lucas punched Alexander in the face the moment he woke in the hospital. "Evelyn donated 800cc of blood to save your life, and this is how you repay her?"

"What?" Alexander grabbed his wrist. "Not Sophia?"

"Sophia?" Lucas scoffed. "She fainted at the sight of the needle. You’ve been fooled for years."

Tears slid silently down Alexander’s face. Suddenly, Evelyn’s pallor in his memories made sense.

"There’s still time." Lucas handed him a plane ticket. "She’s on a flight to Geneva today. But—"

Alexander had already yanked out his IV and stumbled toward the door.

Outside the window, a plane streaked across the blue sky.