He let go of her hand. “What are you trying to say?” “I’ve known you for almost ten years, Cainan, so I know you’re smart enough to understand what I’m trying to say.” She says in reply. He remembers breaking things off with her over twelve weeks ago but all the while they were together, he really thought that they were safe, she told him to use protection most of the times and she was always on pills because according to her, she couldn’t bear the thought of having Hugo’s child. “It can’t be true,” his eyes drop to her somewhat swollen belly, “how?” He cannot help wanting to know the truth. Clara has never lied to him before and there was no need to lie now, especially when it put her in a dangerous place. “Hugo was on a business trip, probably one of those times in your office when we thought birth control pills were all we needed and you didn’t put on a condom?” She whispers yell at him before adding, “But don’t worry, I’m not forcing you to acknowledge or even accept the child,
A week later... “I think your family needs to know and even be here.” Cainan tells Neriah once they walk around the room. Since she got back from the hospital, Cainan moved her into a penthouse he got for her, he told her he rented it for the month, but he bought it in her name but because he knows how Neriah would react to him spending so much money on buying a house, he saved himself that detail. It was larger than her previous apartment, wider and much more sophisticated, and it gave Neriah the chance to move around freely and with less stress. “I will when the time is right,” she says, with a promising tone, just like she said the last time they had the discussion. He rubs his forehead slowly. “When would that be? We talked about it three days ago and you shoved it away, but we both know we don’t have the time. I don’t think it’s fair on them to keep what you’re going through from them,” He tells her. Everyday time gets shorter and as much as it is a gift to have her alive, it
“You’re quiet,” Neriah points out as she and Cainan make their way back from a close-by church walking. It is a somewhat sunny Sunday and Neriah is sure that it might as well be her last and so she spends every moment like it might be her last. It was a ten minutes’ walk back home, and all Cainan has said since they began walking was “No, thank you” to Shawn, who offered them a ride back home. It was unlike Cainan to be quiet, yet Neriah notices that he was and she worried about him. “I’m sorry,” he apologises, and entwines their hands. She shakes her head and glances at him, “Don’t be, you’ve got every right to be blue and sad over Clara, you might not have been head over heels in love with her anymore, but you still cared.” “I couldn’t help her,” he said, through gritted teeth, “I had everything that could have kept her and the little one safe, but yet I couldn’t.” He says his insecurities showing in his voice. The news of Clara’s death was a sad one, and it was hard on Cainan
The next five weeks that followed were what everyone around Neriah called a miracle because there were unexpected. Contrary to the one week given by the doctors and expected of her to live, Neriah spent four more weeks living, loving, working, and learning. After surviving through the first week, Cainan asked her to marry him and when she said yes, they organised a small wedding in the ward for the both of them to be joined as man and wife and Cainan was the happiest. They released many more sketches and designs as Riá-no Neriah’s clothing brand launched into the world a week after, ranging from children wears to adult wears of all sizes. It paved more way after Cainan announced that 50% of the funding would be given to the fight against cancer campaign to help families and those affected by it. Her unexplainable time extension, her marriage and work brought the attention of not just the media, but the world to her and even though Cainan kept them from getting anywhere in or near h
This is a Christmas special chapter. It doesn't go in line with the original book. Just like a stand-alone extra chapter. I hope you all enjoy though. “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~Norman Vincent Peal . "I know you would rather be on your own, but are you ever going to let us change that?" Ada asked, as she steps into Cainan's room and finds him in the bed, covered up with the duvet. This has been his routine, and for months it has been the same. Ada would always find him in his room wrapped in his duvet, either crying, sleeping or just there in silence. "It's Christmas today. Surely there has to be something you want to do than just laying in bed and giving m
One and half years ago…“Promise me you will take care of yourself, dear,” Gina says as she follows Neriah into the already moving train.“I promise, mom,” Neriah says for the one millionth time today.Tears run down Gina's face ruining the perfect face Neriah hopes to remember for a long time. “And you promise to always call right?” She asks, making Neriah’s heart hurt even more.Neriah pulls her into a tight hug, “I’ll call; I promise I’ll call every week as much as I can.” She vows, before pulling away and helping to wipe her tears away.She gently takes Neriah’s hands making her look into her eyes, trying to insert assertiveness. “If things get bad, you know you can always come back home okay?” she reminds her.Neriah nods, biting her lips. Gina seems to be making it as though this is a final goodbye, which she knows isn’t true. “I know, and if things don’t work out well after two years, I’ll come back home and find a decent job in the town, and get married. I promise, now stop cry
“So what do you think?” Shawn asks when he sees Neriah walk out of the apartment with a broad smile on her face. They had both checked out the apartment and when Cecilia, his mother’s friend and owner of the place, came by, they both discussed while Shawn waited outside. It’s been close to fifteen minutes since the two women had talked. “It’s okay, I like it!” she squeals and hugs him, “and according to Cecilia I can move in if I have six months’ payment down.” She couldn’t have been happier to say those words. “That’s great news then?” He asks as he stared into her eyes. She may not have known Shawn for so long, but he’s helped her out, and she’s grateful for that. “Yes. Thank you, Shawn, you’re a lifesaver.” She says as they begin to walk on. His smile dies down as he mutters, “If only that were true.” Neriah doesn’t need to think twice to know what he’s referring to because she’d heard him talk about his mom being in the hospital when Cainan fired him in the morning. How cold
Two weeks later——> There comes a knock on Cainan’s door and his head lifted from the pillow and a low moan erupted from his throat. Thinking he’s probably still dreaming, he drops his head down on the pillow and his eyes close, but the knock comes again, this time louder than the first and he groans aloud in frustrations he shouldn’t be feeling so early. “Go away!” He growls and shoves his head into the pillow. The knock comes the third time and Cainan knows the only solution there is getting up, going to the door and knocking out whoever is at the door, but there’s a familiar voice, “I’m not leaving until I see you, Cainan Inferno.” The voice caused a stir in him and it wasn’t in a good way; it was most horrifyingly. “Samantha?” His voice comes out surprised and sceptical as it comes out. His eyes finally pulling apart, causing him to wince at the presence of the already bright day. “Yes, and I think you’ve avoided me enough, so you’re gonna face me and tell me why you’ve reject