Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 34

Mornings on Claremont Island always carried a crisp, salty bite.

Before the sun had even fully risen, Eliza was already sitting by the shore.

The ocean breeze sent the hem of her dress fluttering.

A set of steady footsteps approached from behind.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Your leg is still recovering. You shouldn't be out in this freezing wind," a deep voice noted.

Eliza didn't look back. Julian draped his heavy coat over her shoulders.

Then, he took a seat beside her.

"You haven't seen a sunrise here yet, have you? It's gorgeous," he said, tilting his head to look at her.

"Yeah, I know." She had seen them. She and Zander used to watch far more beautiful sunrises together.

But now, those memories were nothing more than twisting blades.

Neither of them spoke again, their eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

After what felt like an eternity, the crimson sun finally broke free from the dark waters.

In that exact moment, golden light spilled across the ocean, breathing life into her previously hollow gaze.

"I've watched this ocean every single day for the past two weeks," Eliza suddenly said.

Julian glanced over as she continued, "I thought Eliza Shaw was already dead."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, but incredibly calm.

Julian's fingers instinctively curled inward.

Eliza turned her head, looking him straight in the eye against the morning light.

The lost, broken look was completely gone.

"Dr. Lawrence, I need to go back," she stated, sounding as if she were talking about someone else's life.

"I need a divorce certificate to finally put an end to my past."

She had figured it out. She needed to sever all ties with Zander, both legally and emotionally.

She was going to get those papers signed.

Julian studied her, showing no signs of surprise.

Inwardly, he was thrilled she was finally ending her marriage.

He had always believed Zander wasn't good enough for her.

And now, she finally saw the truth.

A moment later, she tilted her head and offered a teasing smile. "So, that's how I washed up here and met my guardian angel, Dr. Lawrence."

But Julian's fists were clenched white, his breathing tight.

His normally gentle dark eyes were now brimming with violent rage.

He fought to rein in his temper, terrified of scaring her.

"You said 'again'. What did you mean by that?"

Eliza looked up into the wind and sighed. "It was the Hartford earthquake three years ago. Yvonne and I were performing at the Hartford Grand Theatre when the building collapsed. Zander was the fire captain leading the rescue. But he didn't save me, even though my leg was crushed. He saved Yvonne, who just had a scraped arm."

"He claimed it was because Yvonne had claustrophobia. Isn't that hilarious? She never had claustrophobia. It was just her pathetic excuse to get closer to him."

"I reached out to him. I begged him. But he cared more about his precious childhood friend."

As she spoke, a single tear slipped down her cheek.

She wiped it away. She thought she was out of tears, but thinking about what came next still tore her apart.

"Actually..." She took a deep breath, steeling herself to confess.

"My biggest regret wasn't losing my leg. It was losing my baby." She placed a hand over her stomach.

Julian's eyes widened in horror. "What?"

"I found out I was pregnant right before the accident. I was planning to surprise him after the show. I just never got the chance to tell him."