I gotta say I'm usually pretty easy to make tear up with any mediocre sob story, but this one didn't even make me blink.
1) This isn't like Clannad where self-introspection and personal karma is what gives the protag their second chance (emotional stakes tie into the narrative). It isn't even on the level of Zero no Tsukaima where Saito sacrificed himself to save Louise, overwhelming her with guilt (reader has personal bond with both characters). It's a random death to save pointless characters who I don't give a shit about, trying to accomplish something I don't give a shit about.
2) He's obviously not dead, and the fact that the author even pretends that this was ever an option actively decimates the stakes of the story and removes any and all tension involved with the drama. In fact, this could have been a great moment for Philomena to be completely unfazed and respond with a "Of course I knew you were alive, you idiot."
3) Even if he was dead, why should I care about the status of this assholes who can't spare a week to visit his fiance who he doomed to public exile for 7 years? Fuck this dude.
Hope we're nearing the end of the whole thing, cuz the story is nigh unsalvageable after this.