Chapter 27%
The night was clear, and the stars hung above us like diamonds scattered across a velvet sky. A cool breeze rustled through the trees, whispering secrets of the world beyond, Nathan and I sat together on the veranda, our legs stretched out, as the quiet night wrapped around us like a comforting embrace
The twins had finally fallen asleep, their little bellies full from the meal I had prepared. Their peaceful slumber gave us a rare moment alone, something we hadnt had in a while
Trested my head on Nathan’s strong shoulder, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me. It still felt surmal–being here, with him, after everything I had endured. I never thought I would feel this safe, this loved, ever again./
“Nathan” I murmured, my gaze fixed on the sky
“Hmm?” His arm tightened around me slightly, his warmth reassuring.
ning in my mind:
“Do you ever think about the future? My voice was soft, yet filled with unspoken questions that had been lingering in Nathan exhaled, his breath warm against my hair. “All the time,” he admitted. “I think about our future together–you, the kids, everything we’re building.”
I smiled faintly, my heart swelling at his words “There’s still so much to plan,” I mused, thinking of the wedding that was quickly approaching. “The date, the honeymoon… and later, a bigger house, something more comfortable for all of us
Nathan kissed the top of my head, his lips lingering “We’ll make it happen,” he promised 1 want you to feel at home–truly at home”
I closed my eyes, a deep sense of gratitude settling over me. After everything that had happened with Edgar, I never imagined I’d trust another man again. And yet, here was Nathan, proving me wrong in the best possible way. His love was unwavering, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
For a moment, neither of us spoke, simply savoring the tranquility–the rustling wind, the warmth of each other’s presence, the weight of the past slowly lifting…
“Let’s go to bed” I finally whispered.
Nathan nodded and took my hand, guiding me inside.
Once in the room, he approached the crib where Gabriel and George lay fast asleep. He kissed each of their tiny foreheads. murmuring a tender goodnight. The sight brought unexpected tears to my eyes.
Then he turned to me, offering the same gentle affection, his lips pressing softly against my forehead.
“Nathan,” I called hesitantly as he prepared to lie down ||
“Yes, love?“!
Thesitated, debating whether to bring it up “Can we go see Grace tomorrow?!
Nathan paused, his expression unreadable, but I could see the conflict in his eyes.
“I promise,” I reassured him, just one last time”
He let out a slow sigh before finally nodding. Relief flooded me, and I hugged him tightly whispering my thanks
The next morning, we walked through the stenle hallways of the psychiatric hospital where Grace was undergoing rehabilitation. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by occasional murmurs from patients lost in their own worlds. As we passed them, I silently reminded myself to be grateful–for my sanity, for my life.
A doctor emerged from one of the rooms, his expression weary yet professional.
“Good morning, Doctor,” Nathan and I greeted him politely!
“Good moming, Mrs. Wright, he responded with a nod “You’ve come to see Grace?”
I nodded. “How is she?‘:
The doctor’s face darkened slightly. “Not well. She has attempted suicide multiple times and has been taking gynecological medication Fortunately, a nurse intervened before any harm was done.“).
A chill ran through me. My gaze darted to Nathan, searching for some kind of reassurance, but his jaw was clenched, his eyes unreadable!!
I swallowed hard. “Can we see her?‘!
The doctor hesitated before shaking his head. “Her mental state is deteriorating. We don’t recommend visitors today.
My shoulders slumped. I had expected this, yet the reality still stung Despite everything Grace had done, I couldn’t ignore the guilt gnawing at me
She shouldn’t have done this to herself. She shouldn’t have tried to take the life of an unborn child. A part of me had hoped she could heal that she could rebuild her life
Sensing my distress, Nathan leaned down and whispered, “Don’t push it, honey. She doesn’t want to see you. You have to take care of yourself now“:
I looked toward Grace’s door, my heart heavy!
Nathan lifted his hand to stroke my cheek gently. “You’ve done enough. You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved!
I turned back to the doctor, my voice softer now. “Could you allow us just a moment? I promise I won’t overstep–l keep my distance
The doctor hesitated but eventually relented with a slow nod. “I’ll accompany you. Just in case”
- My heart pounded as raised my hand to knock. The tension in the air was
With that, we stepped toward Grace’s hospital room suffocating |
As soon as I entered, Grace’s eyes snapped open. They were wild, filled with fear and fury. The dim lighting in her room only heightened the darkness in her gaze X
“You” she spat, her voice trembling with rage. How dare you come here??
Her words hit me like a slop, though I had braced myself for hostility “Grace, “My voice wavered, but I forced myself to continuo Tm sony Int—”|||
“Stay away from me, you witch the shricked, cutting me off “You think you can for everything? You can’t′′X
Nathan stepped forward, his tone ice–cold. “She doesn’t want your pity, Grace. It’s too late for that now?
I stood there, searching for something anything that might reach her. But nothing I could say would mend the wounds she carried
Nathan must have sensed my hesitation, because without another word, he took my hand and gently led me out of the room. As we walked away, I cast one last glance over my shoulder, but Grace had already tumed away, lost in her own darkness X
Regret settled deep in my chest I never wanted thus for her. Even after everything she had done, I had already forgiven her only wanted to move forward, to live peacefully, without the weight of the past holding me down.
As we exited the hospital, Nathan gave my hand a reassuring squeeze How about some ice cream?” he suggested with a small smile
I blinked up at her, suprised by the sudden shift, but then I let out a soft chuckle. “That sounds perfect.
Hand in hand, we walked toward a new day, finding solace in each other. The world around us was still full of pain, still riddled with scars of the past
But in that moment, nothing else mattered except us here and now, together?
