Alex and Luna often met, just like they always did. But behind Alex's gentle smile was a storm he was hiding. The headaches grew sharper, but he never let Luna see.
Every time the pain came, he excused himself. He didn't want Luna to notice the dark circles under his eyes or the way his hands sometimes trembled.
The only person who knew the truth was his specialist—Dr. Elsa.
Elsa was a kind-hearted woman, unmarried, who treated Alex almost like her own younger brother. She laughed with him, encouraged him, and tried to ease his fear. Sometimes, when Alex sat in her office with his head buried in his hands, she would quietly say, "You're stronger than you think, Alex."
One day, Alex confessed to her. His voice cracked, his eyes glassy. "I love her, Elsa. I love Luna more than anything. And she loves me too. But… she just went through so much with Nick. She nearly broke. How can I tell her now, when my tumor is getting worse? If I die… it will destroy her again."
Elsa listened carefully. She wanted to tell him that love is not just about joy, but about truth too—but she also saw the fear in his eyes.
"Alex," she said softly, "you should tell her. She deserves to know. Hiding this will hurt her more later."
But Alex shook his head. "No. I can't. I'll carry this burden alone."
Elsa's Warning
Four days later, after another routine check-up, Elsa's expression was grim.
"I'm sorry, Alex," she said, almost whispering. "I'm trying everything. I'm doing my best. But your tumor… it's growing worse. Tomorrow, we'll need another quick scan."
Alex's heart sank. He nodded silently, though his mind screamed. He spent the night exercising, eating only healthy food, trying anything that might help. But deep down, he knew health food couldn't erase what was eating away at him.
Nick's Recovery
Meanwhile, Luna was at the hospital, arranging Nick's discharge papers. She paid every bill, collected the medicines, and held onto the small hope she had waited weeks for.
Nick walked slowly out of his room, his body still fragile but his smile returning. "Finally, I'm free from that bed."
Luna smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. After a month of steady recovery, Nick was almost back to his old self—energetic, strong, and cheerful. They celebrated his return home with laughter, food, and warmth.
For the first time in a long time, Luna felt like life was kind again.
Alex's Collapse
But miles away, Alex was slumped over his desk at the office. His colleagues entered, shocked to find their CEO lying unconscious. Panic spread quickly. Employees rushed to lift him, calling the ambulance immediately.
They took him straight to the hospital, where Elsa was waiting.
When she saw Alex's pale, weak body, her heart sank. She whispered to herself, "Not now… please, not now."
The scans confirmed her fear. She sat beside Alex as he regained consciousness and told him the truth he dreaded to hear.
"Alex… the tumor has spread. We need to operate immediately. There's no time left."
Alex nodded weakly. "Do it."
The Operation
The surgery lasted hours. Outside, nurses rushed back and forth, their footsteps echoing against the white walls.
Meanwhile, Luna, unaware of everything, was laughing with Nick at his homecoming. When Alex didn't call, she believed his excuse: "I'm in an important meeting, I can't talk tonight." She trusted him completely.
By the time the operation ended, Elsa's eyes were heavy with defeat. She sat beside Alex's bed, holding his chart.
"The operation was successful," she said softly. "But… the tumor remains. The effect was zero. It's aggressive, Alex. Deadly."
Alex turned his face away. He wasn't afraid of dying. He was afraid of leaving Luna shattered.
The Plan
That night, Alex stared at the ceiling of his hospital room, tears blurring his vision. "If I let her love me, she'll break when I'm gone. But if I make her hate me… maybe she'll survive it."
So he began pulling away. Making excuses. Acting cold. Pretending to be careless.
He wanted Luna to hate him, so her heart wouldn't shatter when his stopped beating.
But Luna never stopped loving him. No matter how many mistakes he made, no matter how many excuses he gave, she forgave him every time.
"You don't get it, Alex," she told him once, smiling through tears. "Even if the world breaks us, I'll fix us. You can push me away a hundred times, but I'll come back a hundred and one. Because I love you. Truly. With all my heart and soul."
And that was the one thing Alex couldn't fight.
Love.