"Tell me."

Daniel looked at her.

"Tell you what?"

"The truth."

He sighed.

"I knew you'd ask."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of losing you again."

Eleanor stared at him.

"You can't protect me by keeping secrets."

"I know."

"Then tell me."

Daniel closed his eyes.

"I didn't leave you all those years ago because I stopped loving you."

Eleanor froze.

"What?"

"I never stopped."

"Then why?"

He reached for her hand.

"Because I thought you were better off without me."

"That's not an answer."

"No."

He looked down.

"Not yet."

Before he could continue, his breathing suddenly became difficult.

Eleanor immediately called for help.

The conversation ended there.

But the questions remained.

The Final Weeks

Daniel's condition worsened quickly.

He spent more time in bed.

Some days he could barely speak.

Eleanor stayed beside him.

She still wanted answers.

But she also knew there were things more important than satisfying her curiosity.

One evening, Daniel whispered:

"Do you regret marrying me?"

"No."

"Even now?"

"Especially now."

He smiled.

"You always were stubborn."

"So were you."

He closed his eyes.

"Promise me something."

"What?"

"When you learn the truth, don't let it destroy the good."

Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.

"What truth?"