A Thousand Tomorrow With You

Eva stood in the middle of their dimly lit living room, her arms wrapped around herself as if holding in a secret too heavy to bear. The air between them was thick, heavier than it had ever been. Miles sat across from her, confusion laced in his furrowed brows, his fingers gripping the edge of the coffee table like he was bracing for impact.

“I want a divorce,” she said, her voice steady, almost too steady.

Miles let out a sharp breath, half a scoff, half disbelief. “Eva, come on. We’ve had rough patches before. Is this about us? About how distant we’ve been?” His voice softened. “We can fix it.”

She looked away. If only it were that simple.

“There’s nothing to fix,” she said, forcing indifference into her tone. “I just don’t want this anymore.”

His eyes searched hers, desperate, trying to find the lie beneath the surface. “I don’t believe you,” he murmured.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm. She wished he would get angry, that he would throw his hands up and storm out. But Miles wasn’t that kind of man. He would fight for her because that’s who he was. And that’s exactly why she had to leave.

“Then don’t.” Her voice wavered for the first time. “Just sign the papers, Miles.”

He ran a hand through his dark hair, exhaling hard. “No,” he said firmly. “Not until you give me a real reason.”

Her heart clenched. I’m dying, Miles. Isn’t that reason enough? But she couldn’t say it. She couldn’t watch his face crumble, couldn’t watch him break before she was even gone.

So instead, she turned cold. “I’ve fallen out of love with you.”

The lie shattered something between them. She saw it in his eyes, the flicker of pain, the disbelief. For a moment, he was silent, like the words had knocked the air out of his lungs.

“You don’t mean that,” he whispered.

Eva swallowed hard. “I do.”

Miles shook his head. “No. You don’t just wake up one day and stop loving someone.” He took a step closer, and she fought the instinct to reach for him. “Something is wrong, Eva. Just tell me what it is.”

She could feel the lump in her throat rising. Not yet. Not now.

“You’re just making this harder,” she said, her voice sharp now, cutting before she could lose her resolve.

His jaw clenched. “That’s because I’m not letting you go without a fight.”

She turned away before he could see her tears.

I wish you wouldn’t, Miles. I wish you’d just let me go.

Miles grabbed his jacket from the coat rack, his movements sharp, almost mechanical. His mind was a mess, a storm of questions with no answers. The moment Eva had said the words, his chest had tightened, as if something had cracked open inside him.

A divorce? Just like that?

The door clicked shut behind him as he stepped into the cool night air. His hands shoved into his pockets, he started walking aimlessly, the city lights flickering like ghosts around him. His feet moved on their own, but his mind was stuck in that living room, replaying the moment over and over.

I’ve fallen out of love with you.

No. That wasn’t the truth. He knew her too well. Eva wasn’t the type to give up so easily. Sure, their marriage had become distant, quieter than before. Maybe they had lost the spark, the way couples sometimes did when life got in the way. But love didn’t just disappear. Not overnight.

Something else was going on.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. Maybe she had met someone else. Maybe she was tired of their routine. Maybe… Maybe he just hadn’t been enough.

The thought stung.

A slow drizzle began to fall, misting the pavement, but Miles barely noticed. His feet had taken him to the park, a small space tucked between buildings, where they used to sit on late nights, coffee in hand, talking about everything and nothing.

He stared at the empty bench, the one where Eva had once rested her head on his shoulder, laughing about something silly he’d said. That memory felt like a lifetime ago.

His hands clenched into fists.

He wasn’t going to let this end like this.

Meanwhile, in the Bedroom

Eva curled into herself on the edge of the bed, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The moment Miles had walked out, the dam inside her had broken.

She pressed her palm over her mouth, stifling the sound of her cries.

I’m sorry, Miles.

The weight of her secret was suffocating. It pressed against her ribs, filled her lungs, made her body feel like it was caving in. She had thought this would be the best way, to push him away before the worst came.

But why did it feel like she was the one breaking?

Her gaze flickered to the drawer beside the bed, where the crumpled test results lay hidden beneath old papers. The cold, clinical words burned into her memory.

Glioblastoma. Stage IV.

Her time was slipping through her fingers, and she couldn’t bear to watch Miles crumble under it. She couldn’t let him see her fade, couldn’t let him hold her as she grew weaker, watching the woman he loved disappear before his eyes.

Letting go now was the only mercy she could give him.

She wiped at her tears, inhaling sharply.

She had to stay strong. Even if it broke her.

Even if it broke them both.

The house was quiet when Miles returned. Too quiet.

He stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him, the weight of the conversation still pressing on his chest. His steps were slow as he made his way through the dimly lit hallway, his mind still searching for answers he knew Eva wasn’t ready to give him.

When he reached their bedroom, he paused at the doorway.

Eva was already asleep.

Her body was curled slightly, her breathing soft and steady. Even in sleep, she looked fragile, like a porcelain doll that could shatter with the lightest touch. The woman who once promised to love him forever had asked for a divorce today. The words still echoed in his head, sharp and unforgiving.

His throat tightened as he stepped closer.

How could she ask him to let go so easily?

For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at her. He memorized every detail, the way her hair fell across the pillow, the faint crease between her brows, as if even in dreams, she wasn’t at peace. His fingers twitched at his side, aching to reach out, to brush away the invisible burden she refused to share.

But instead, he sighed. A deep, quiet sigh that carried the weight of all the things he couldn’t understand.

Dragging himself to the bathroom, he washed up, letting the cold water splash against his face, hoping it would drown out the turmoil in his chest. It didn’t.

Minutes later, he returned to bed, hesitating for just a second before finally laying down beside her.

The bed felt colder than usual.

She was right there, just inches away. And yet, for the first time since they got married, she felt like she was slipping away.

Miles closed his eyes.

If Eva thought he would just walk away, she was wrong.

He wasn’t going to let go of the woman he loved without knowing the truth.

No matter what it was.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the bedroom. The weight of last night’s conversation still hung between them, but neither brought it up. Instead, they moved through their routine like two people who hadn’t spent the previous night breaking each other’s hearts.

Breakfast was quiet but civil. Eva made coffee, Miles buttered toast, and for a brief moment, it almost felt normal. Like nothing had changed. But the silence between them wasn’t comfortable, it was filled with words left unsaid.

Miles stole glances at her as they ate. She looked tired, even behind the mask of calm she always wore. But he knew her too well.

Something was wrong. And he was going to find out what.

After finishing breakfast, they left for work together, driving in silence. The tension was there, but neither acknowledged it.

Their destination: Harrington Enterprises.

The company that once belonged to Eva’s father, now hers.

Miles had worked there ever since college, but not by chance, Eva had made sure of it.

Flashback: How They Met

Eva still remembered the first time she saw Miles. It was in college, during an economics lecture. He sat near the window, scribbling in his notebook with the kind of quiet focus that made him stand out.

She liked him instantly.

Not just because he was good-looking, but because there was something steady about him. Something real.

She spent months stealing glances, hoping he’d notice her. But Miles wasn’t like other guys, he didn’t chase, didn’t flirt mindlessly. He was kind but distant, lost in his own world.

So, she did the only thing she could think of.

She asked her father to hire him.

It wasn’t manipulative, it was just a chance. A chance to be closer, to get to know him outside of classrooms and textbooks.

And it worked.

He started as an intern, working his way up. They grew close. And when he finally asked her out, it wasn’t because of her family name, it was because he saw her. Just her.

And now, years later, here they were, married, but barely holding on.

Back to the Present: Arriving at Work

As they stepped into the towering glass building of Harrington Enterprises, all personal matters were pushed aside.

Eva was no longer just his wife; she was the CEO.

She walked through the halls with purpose, exuding power and confidence. Employees greeted her with polite nods, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Because where there was Eva, there was also Stella and Asher.

Her stepmother and stepbrother. The two people in this world she despised the most.

And today, Miles had a feeling they were going to make an appearance.

Eva barely had a moment to breathe after settling into her chair when the door to her office swung open without a knock.

Asher.

Dressed in a tailored suit he hadn’t earned, with a smug expression that never seemed to leave his face, her stepbrother strolled in like he owned the place. He didn’t. And he never would.

“Good morning, dear sister,” Asher said, dropping into the chair across from her desk without waiting for an invitation.

Eva barely looked up from her documents. “If you’re here to work, Asher, I suggest you start in your own office.”

He scoffed, lounging back. “Come on, sis. Don’t be so cold. We’re family, aren’t we?”

She finally met his gaze, her expression unreadable. “You only remember that when you need something.”

Asher clicked his tongue. “Fine. I won’t waste your time.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I need some cash. An investment opportunity came up, and I—”

“No.”

His smugness flickered. “You didn’t even let me finish.”

“Because I already know the ending.” She placed her pen down and folded her hands together. “You ask for money. I say no. You complain about how unfair I am. We repeat this every few months.”

Asher’s jaw clenched. “You act like I’m some freeloader.”

Eva tilted her head. “That’s exactly what you are.”

His face darkened. “I come to the office, don’t I?”

Eva leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. “Showing up is not the same as working.”

She had put him on the payroll, given him a position, but he had never taken a single task seriously. He treated the company like his personal bank account, and she was done with it.

“Dad wouldn’t have wanted this,” Asher gritted out.

Eva’s expression turned ice cold. “Dad wouldn’t have wanted you to turn out like this.”

Silence.

Asher’s nostrils flared. He was used to getting what he wanted, especially from his mother, Stella. But Eva wasn’t like her. She had worked hard for everything, even when she didn’t have to. And she wasn’t going to hand him a free life.

He stood up, adjusting his jacket like he hadn’t just been humiliated. “You’re going to regret treating me like this, Eva.”

She picked up her pen again, already done with him. “I doubt it.”

Asher stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Eva exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples.

Another day, another battle.

And she was getting tired.

It was nearly lunchtime when Miles leaned against Eva’s office doorframe, offering her a small smile.

“Lunch?” he asked casually, hoping to ease the tension between them.

Eva barely looked up from her laptop. “I’m not hungry yet,” she said coolly.

Miles studied her for a moment, his smile fading slightly. He could tell she wasn’t eating much lately, but pushing her never worked. So, instead of pressing the issue, he just nodded. “Alright.”

With that, he turned and left, heading out to lunch with his office mate, David.

Meanwhile, Eva grabbed her bag and slipped out of the building, her destination clear, the hospital.

At the Hospital: A Familiar Face

Dr. Mia was already waiting when Eva arrived, her expression warm but concerned.

“You’re late,” Mia teased lightly as she led Eva into the exam room.

Eva gave a small, tired smile. “Got held up at work.”

Mia didn’t press. She knew Eva well enough to understand that the CEO never truly stopped working even when she should.

The checkup went as expected. No changes. No improvements. The cancer was still there, still unyielding.

Mia sighed, setting down the chart. “I wish I had better news, Eva.”

Eva simply nodded. She had stopped hoping for miracles a long time ago.

Mia studied her closely. “How are you really?”

“I’m fine,” Eva answered automatically.

Mia crossed her arms. “You know I don’t buy that.”

Eva sighed, rubbing her temples. “I just… don’t want to think about it more than I have to.”

Mia hesitated before speaking. “And the divorce?”

Eva’s fingers tightened around the edge of the exam table. “He doesn’t suspect anything.”

Mia’s voice softened. “You’re still sure about this?”

Eva forced a small, bitter smile. “He deserves a future without watching me die.”

Mia exhaled, looking torn. “I still think you should tell him.”

Eva shook her head. “No. I won’t let him go through that.”

Mia didn’t argue. She simply rested a comforting hand on Eva’s shoulder.

“Just… don’t forget you don’t have to carry this alone, Eva. If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

For a moment, Eva felt something tighten in her chest, not just because of the illness, but because deep down, she knew she wasn’t just hurting herself.

She was hurting Miles, too.

But she had already made her choice.

And there was no turning back.

At a nearby café, Miles and David sat by the window, waiting for their lunch to arrive. The place was cozy, filled with the low hum of conversations and the rich aroma of fresh coffee.

David was in the middle of telling a funny story about one of their coworkers when Miles’s attention was pulled away by an all-too-familiar, irritating voice.

Asher.

Miles sighed inwardly as he spotted his brother-in-law at a table nearby, sitting across from a woman who was more focused on her manicured nails than on Asher himself.

The girlfriend of the month, Miles thought dryly.

Asher, dressed in expensive clothes he didn’t earn, leaned forward dramatically. “I swear, my sister is so stingy. Can you believe she refused to give me any money today?”

His girlfriend barely looked up, twirling a strand of her hair. “Mmhmm.”

But Asher was too caught up in his self-pity to notice her lack of interest. “I mean, come on. We’re family! It’s not like she can’t afford it. She’s just being difficult on purpose.”

His girlfriend sighed, clearly bored. “That’s… terrible.”

Miles had to stop himself from laughing. The way she said it was so monotone, so indifferent, it was obvious she didn’t care. She’s only here for his money.

And Asher, in all his clueless arrogance, truly believed she liked him for him.

David nudged Miles with a smirk. “That guy’s delusional.”

Miles shook his head slowly, watching Asher continue his pathetic rant. Instead of working hard, he just complains.

It was the same story, over and over. Asher wanted an easy life. Wanted everything handed to him. And when he didn’t get it, he whined.

Miles turned back to David. “Let’s just eat. He’s not worth the headache.”

David chuckled. “Agreed.”

Their lunch arrived, and they spent the rest of the meal having small talk about work, sports, and weekend plans.

But even as Miles enjoyed the meal, a part of him still thought about Eva.

She had brushed off lunch so easily.

Was she really not hungry, or was there something she wasn’t telling him?

The uneasy feeling in his chest only grew stronger.

The car ride home was quiet. Not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the heavy, suffocating kind, where words were needed but neither of them dared to speak.

Miles stole glances at Eva, but her expression was unreadable, as always. What are you hiding, Eva?

When they arrived home, Eva stepped inside first, slipping off her heels and heading straight to the bedroom. Miles lingered in the living room for a moment before following, but he didn’t say a word.

Their marriage had never felt this distant.

He wanted to ask if she was okay. If she needed something. If she would ever let him in again.

But she was already gone, disappearing into their room without a glance back.

Another Headache

Eva sighed as she placed her handbag on the nightstand. Just as she was about to sit down and breathe for a moment, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen.

Stepmother.

Her shoulders tensed as she picked up the call. “What is it, Stella?”

Her stepmother’s voice was sharp and nagging. “How dare you refuse to give Asher money? He called me earlier, completely distressed. Do you know how hard you’re making things for him?”

Eva rubbed her temples. Here we go again.

“Asher is a grown man, Stella,” she said tiredly. “If he wants money, he should work for it.”

“You’re his sister! It’s your responsibility to support him,” Stella snapped. “Do you think your father would have wanted this? He would have never let his son struggle like this!”

Eva closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay calm. Dad wouldn’t have let him turn into this, either.

“I’ve already told Asher; he has a job at the company. If he actually worked, he wouldn’t need to beg,” Eva said firmly.

Stella huffed. “You’re just like your mother. Cold and heartless.”

That hit a nerve, but Eva refused to let it show. “If that’s all, I have nothing more to say.”

And with that, she ended the call.

Son and mother—both useless and entitled.

She exhaled sharply, tossing the phone onto the bed. Another headache. Another problem.

But the real problem wasn’t them.

It was the man downstairs, drinking water in the kitchen, wondering why his wife had become a stranger.

And Eva didn’t know how much longer she could keep up this act.

That night, they lay side by side, staring at the ceiling.

No words. No goodnight wishes. No kisses.

Just silence.

The distance between them felt like an endless void. Two years. That’s how long it had been since they last touched, no kisses, no hugs, no warmth. Their love hadn’t completely vanished, but it had dulled, like embers struggling to stay lit.

Miles exhaled softly. He wanted to turn to her, to reach out, but something held him back. Would she even let me?

Eva’s eyes stayed open, lost in thought. She knew this distance was her fault. But she couldn’t change it, not now, not when the truth would only bring more pain.

Once, their love had been different.

Once, it had been beautiful.

Flashback: College Days

Eva had always been the center of attention at college. Beautiful, confident, and with a smile that could light up a room, she was admired by many.

Men would go out of their way to impress her, bringing her flowers, writing her love letters, competing for a chance to take her on a date.

But she wasn’t interested in any of them.

Because the one man she wanted… was the only one who didn’t care about her beauty.

Miles.

He was different. He didn’t try to flirt with her. He didn’t try to win her over. He barely even looked at her.

And that intrigued her.

At first, she tried the simplest approach. “Hey, want to grab lunch together?”

“No, thanks,” Miles said without a second thought.

She was stunned. No man had ever turned her down before.

But instead of being discouraged, she smiled.

Challenge accepted.

From that day on, Eva tried everything to get closer to him. She’d conveniently “bump into him” on campus, ask him about class notes, even find excuses to sit near him in the library.

Nothing worked.

But then, fate intervened.

One afternoon, while rushing down the stairs, Eva misstepped. She felt her body tilt forward, and for a split second, fear shot through her, this is it.

But before she could fall, strong hands grabbed her, pulling her back.

Miles.

Her heart pounded as she looked up at him, breathless.

“You should be more careful,” he said, his voice calm, as if saving her life was no big deal.

Eva, however, saw it differently.

This was her chance.

From that day on, she didn’t stop until they became friends.

And later, much later, they became something more.

Present: A Love Turned Cold

Eva blinked, the memories fading as she stared at the dark ceiling above her.

So much had changed.

They weren’t those two college students anymore.

And soon…

She wouldn’t be here at all.

Miles turned slightly, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked deep in thought, lost in a place he couldn’t reach.

He wanted to pull her back.

But he didn’t know how.

So, instead, he closed his eyes, letting the silence stretch between them.